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Theodin

♂ Boy

Pronounced THEE-oh-din /ˈθiː.oʊ.dɪn/Medium

Meaning: Theodin is a modern respelling of Theoden, the King of Rohan in Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien took the name from the Old English word theoden, 'king, prince, lord of a people' — itself from theod, 'people, nation.' The literary route is the live one, which we note.Low

In 30 seconds: A king's name from Middle-earth: Theodin respells Tolkien's Theoden, Old English for 'lord of a people' (said 'THEE-oh-din'). The literary link is the live one.

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Origin LowEnglish, Old English

MeaningTheodin is a modern respelling of Theoden, the King of Rohan in Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien took the name from the Old English word theoden, 'king, prince, lord of a people' — itself from theod, 'people, nation.' The literary route is the live one, which we note.

U.S. rank (2024)#13988 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2022

Total births (all-time)≈ 24

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

Theodin is a modern respelling of Theoden, King of Rohan in Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien, a philologist, drew the name from Old English theoden, 'king, lord of a people,' built on theod, 'nation.' Its modern use is driven by the books and films rather than by any older naming tradition, which we note (said 'THEE-oh-din').

It appears only rarely for boys in the U.S. Rare, literary, and regal in sense.

Did you know? Tolkien did not invent Theoden — he lifted it straight from Old English, where theoden simply means 'king.' The Riders of Rohan speak a language modelled on Anglo-Saxon, and their king's name is the proof (said 'THEE-oh-din').

Overall data confidence 45%

References — Theodin — Respelling of Tolkien's Theoden; Old English theoden 'king, lord of a people'

Variations

TheodenTheodan

Nicknames

TheoDin

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Theodin…

Theodore— a like Theo- opening in wide use

Rohan— the Tolkien realm Theoden ruled

Anakin— shares Theodin's English roots

Taylin— shares Theodin's English roots

Tristin— the same modern feel

Explore names like Theodin

By thememodern literary regal tolkien

By meaningGod / Divine Royal / Noble

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Theodin mean?

Theodin respells Theoden, Tolkien's King of Rohan, from the Old English word theoden, 'king, lord of a people.'

How do you pronounce Theodin?

It's said THEE-oh-din /ˈθiː.oʊ.dɪn/ — three syllables, stress on the first.

Is Theodin a boy or girl name?

Theodin is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Theodin?

Theodin is a very rare name for boys in the U.S.