Theodore vs Zac
Theodore and Zaccompared on official birth-registration statistics and Namewise's recorded data. This page states what each name's record shows — it never picks a winner or scores one name against the other.
Head to head
Ranks are only compared within one published list and one year. Two ranks from different years, from a boys' and a girls' list, or from different registrars are not comparable, so they are not placed side by side.
England and Wales · Boys
In 2024, Theodore was ranked #8 and Zac #442 among boys in England and Wales.
Northern Ireland · Boys
In 2024, Theodore was ranked #32 and Zac #216 among boys in Northern Ireland.
Scotland · Boys
In 2024, Theodore was ranked #36 and Zac #176 among boys in Scotland.
Republic of Ireland · Boys
In 2025, Theodore was ranked #44 and Zac #223 among boys in Republic of Ireland.
Theodore and Zac over time
Theodore and Zac appear together in 3 published lists, across 69 years of shared records. Zac held the stronger position in more years in 2 of them, Theodore in 1.
The order between them changed and held in 2 of those lists — a change in that published list, never a claim that one name displaced the other.
Zac reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 3 of those lists, and Theodore in none. Each position is a place inside its own list, so this compares when they peaked and never how high.
Counted list by list. Two names in the same published list are measured on the same scale in the same year, so those comparisons are real — but positions from different lists are not, so nothing here is combined into an overall standing.
How this pair is related
The relationship kinds these two qualify for, each under its own stated rule. Every one is drawn from a list they both appear in.
- One moved ahead of the other
In 2019, Theodore moved ahead of Zac in Northern Ireland · Boys — #141 and #128 the year before became #84 and #178.
- Repeatedly exchanged positions
Theodore and Zac changed places 5 times in Republic of Ireland · Boys between 2002 and 2025, ending at #44 and #223.
- Mirrored each other
Over 29 shared years in England and Wales · Boys, Theodore rose about as far as Zac fell — from #209 and #276 in 1996 to #8 and #442 in 2024.
List by list
England and Wales · Boys29 shared years, 1996–2024
Theodore held the stronger position in 25 of those years, Zac in 4.
Highest recorded here: Theodore #8 in 2022, Zac #110 in 2010.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Theodore #8, Zac #442.
Republic of Ireland · Boys23 shared years, 2002–2025
Theodore held the stronger position in 11 of those years, Zac in 12.
Highest recorded here: Theodore #44 in 2025, Zac #179 in 2019.
The order changed in 2017: Theodore moved ahead. In 2016 they stood at #209 and #201; by 2017 that had become #156 and #220.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Theodore #44, Zac #223.
Northern Ireland · Boys17 shared years, 2001–2024
Theodore held the stronger position in 7 of those years, Zac in 10.
Highest recorded here: Theodore #32 in 2024, Zac #111 in 2013.
The order changed in 2019: Theodore moved ahead. In 2018 they stood at #141 and #128; by 2019 that had become #84 and #178.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Theodore #32, Zac #216.
Two names moving past each other in a ranking is a fact about the ranking. Namewise does not claim one name displaced the other, that families chose between them, or that either influenced the other — none of that is in this data.
Side by side
| Field | Theodore | Zac |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Editorially researched profile | Official statistical record (evidence-only) |
| Gender usage | male | male |
| Meaning | Gift of God. | Not yet recorded |
| Origin | Greek | Not yet recorded |
| Pronunciation | /ˈθiəˌdɔɹ/ | Not yet recorded |
| Syllables | 3 | 1 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Teddy | Not yet recorded |
| Recorded regional usage | AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NZ | AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NZ |
| Most recent popularity observation | New South Wales, Australia · Boys #3 (2025) | Republic of Ireland · Boys #223 (2025) |
| Pronunciation clarity (demonstration score) | 90/100 | Not yet recorded |
| Spelling simplicity (demonstration score) | 76/100 | 95/100 |
| International familiarity (demonstration score) | 100/100 | 100/100 |
| Data Confidence | high | medium |
What the data shows
- Theodore has a recorded origin (Greek); Zac does not have one recorded yet.
- Theodore has 3 syllables, compared with 1 for Zac.
- A meaning is recorded for Theodore; Zac doesn't have one written yet.
- Both names have recorded usage in AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NZ.
- The available evidence gives Theodore a "high" Data Confidence level and Zac a "medium" level — this reflects how complete and corroborated the underlying evidence is, not a judgement of either name.
How each name got here
Theodore
Popularity journey
First recorded1964
First recorded at #214 among boys in Republic of Ireland in 1964 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Republic of Ireland · Boys
Highest recorded2015–2025
Highest recorded position: #3 among boys in New South Wales, Australia, in 2024 (recorded 2015–2025).
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #3 among boys in New South Wales, Australia, in 2025.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
Zac
Popularity journey
First recorded1996
First recorded at #276 among boys in England and Wales in 1996 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
England and Wales · Boys
Highest recorded1998–2012
Highest recorded position: #65 among boys in New South Wales, Australia, in 2002 (recorded 1998–2012).
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #223 among boys in Republic of Ireland, in 2025.
Republic of Ireland · Boys