theophoros

Theophoros is a male given name of Greek origin, derived from the elements theos, meaning “god,” and phoros, meaning “bearing” or “carrying.” The name thus signifies “God-bearing” or “bearing God.” In Greek, it is written as Θεόφορος (Theophoros), and it has Latinized forms such as Theophorus; the feminine form is Theophora.

Historically, Theophoros was a relatively common personal name among Greek-speaking populations in antiquity and the Middle Ages. It appears in Christian and secular sources and is associated with several saints and ecclesiastical figures in hagiographies and liturgical calendars. As a theophoric name—one that incorporates a divine element—it reflects a broader naming tradition in which the name of a deity is invoked or honored.

In contemporary use, Theophoros remains in use in Greece and among Greek-speaking communities, with various transliterations such as Theophoros, Theophorus, or Theoforos. The feminine form, Theophora, is also encountered, though less common.

Theophoros is part of the broader category of theophoric names, which include many Greek names that embed the name of a deity. These names illustrate how ancient Greek naming practices often linked personal identity with divine associational concepts.