Theodor

Theodor is the German, Scandinavian, Czech, and Romanian form of Theodore, derived from the ancient Greek name Theodoros, composed of the elements theos, meaning god, and doron, meaning gift, giving the overall sense of gift of God. The name was borne by several early Christian saints and scholars, helping to spread it widely across Europe throughout the medieval period. Notable modern bearers include the Austro-Hungarian journalist and Zionist visionary Theodor Herzl and the Danish fairy-tale author Hans Christian Andersen, whose middle name was a variant of this form. Related forms include Theodore in English, Théodore in French, Fedor and Fyodor in Slavic traditions, and the feminine Theodora.