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Theoden
Pronounced THEHOHD-ehn /ˈθɛoʊd.ɛn/Low
Meaning: King, lord, ruler of a peopleLow
Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.
History & Origin
The name comes from Old English, where it meant a king, lord, or ruler over a people. Tolkien drew on that genuine vocabulary when he used Theoden as a character name, which is how the word reaches modern readers as a personal name.
Its literary path gives it a weighty, archaic ring that matches its 'ruler' meaning. As a baby name it remains tied closely to that one fictional bearer.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Theoden mean?
Theoden is usually explained as meaning 'king, lord, ruler of a people', from Old English theoden (from theod 'people, nation'). It is a literary name used by J.R.R. Tolkien for the king of Rohan.
How do you pronounce Theoden?
It's commonly said THEHOHD-ehn /ˈθɛoʊd.ɛn/.
Is Theoden a boy or girl name?
In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Theoden is used as a boy name.
How popular is Theoden?
In 2024, Theoden ranked #1857 in the U.S. for boys, with 87 births recorded.