NameCensus.

UK boy's name

Theseus

A masculine name from Greek mythology referring to the heroic legendary founder of Athens.

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2022. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Theseus is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Theseus popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2022 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4001, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2022, with 4 births.

This profile covers 7 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 2021 to 2022. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

Theseus is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.

We estimate that about 7 living people in the UK are called Theseus. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2023 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Theseus ranked #4001 for boys in England and Wales in 2022, with 4 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2022, when 4 boys were registered as Theseus.
  • About 7 living people in the UK are estimated to have Theseus as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4001

2022

Births in 2022

4

Latest year

Peak year

2022

4 births

Estimated living

7

2026

Meaning

What does Theseus mean?

The name Theseus originated from Greek mythology and ancient Greek culture. It is derived from the Greek word "thesmos," meaning "institution" or "law." The name Theseus is believed to have emerged around the 8th century BC during the Greek Archaic period.

Theseus was the mythical duke of Athens and one of the most celebrated heroes in Greek mythology. His adventures and exploits are recorded in various ancient Greek texts, including the works of Homer, Plutarch, and Euripides. In Greek mythology, Theseus was the son of Aethra and Aegeus, the king of Athens.

The earliest recorded example of the name Theseus can be found in Homer's epic poems, the Iliad and the Odyssey, which were written around the 8th century BC. In these works, Theseus is portrayed as a powerful warrior and a wise leader who participated in the Trojan War.

One of the most famous individuals named Theseus was the mythological hero himself, who lived around the 13th century BC according to ancient Greek legends. He was renowned for his bravery and intelligence, and his adventures included slaying the Minotaur, a half-man, half-bull creature that dwelled in the Labyrinth on the island of Crete.

Another notable figure named Theseus was Theseus of Athens, a Greek mathematician and philosopher who lived in the 4th century BC. He is credited with several important contributions to the field of mathematics, including the concept of the Theseus paradox, which explores the question of identity and change.

In the 1st century AD, a Greek philosopher named Theseus of Tralles lived in the city of Tralles in ancient Lydia (modern-day Turkey). He was a follower of the Stoic philosophical tradition and is known for his writings on ethics and virtuous living.

During the Renaissance period, a Greek scholar named Theseus Ambrosius (1469-1540) was renowned for his translations of ancient Greek texts into Latin. He played a crucial role in preserving and disseminating the works of classical Greek authors during a time when the study of ancient Greek literature was experiencing a revival.

In the 19th century, a Greek painter named Theseus Athanasiou (1819-1898) gained recognition for his realistic portrayal of everyday life and landscapes in Greece. His works provided valuable insights into the social and cultural aspects of 19th-century Greek society.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Theseus over time

The chart below shows babies named Theseus registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2021 to 2022. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Theseus, the clearest high point is 2022. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2022, compared with 4 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Theseus
01234202120212022

Decades

Theseus by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Theseus was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
2020s #4395 7 2

Related

Names similar to Theseus

FAQ

Theseus: questions and answers

How popular is the name Theseus in the UK right now?

In 2022, Theseus was ranked #4001 for boys in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.

When was Theseus most popular?

The peak year on record was 2022, with 4 babies registered as Theseus in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Theseus?

A masculine name from Greek mythology referring to the heroic legendary founder of Athens.

How many people are called Theseus in the UK?

A total of 7 babies have been registered as Theseus across the 2 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.