Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
masc. proper name, from Late Latin Theodoricus, from Gothic, literally "ruler of the people," from Gothic þiuda "people" (see Teutonic) + *reiks "ruler" (see Reich). For spelling, see Theobald. The French form of the name, via the Franks, is Thierry.
Wikipedia
Theodoric is a widespread Germanic given name. First attested in the 5th century, it became widespread in the Germanic-speaking world, not least due to its most famous bearer, Theoderic the Great, king of the Ostrogoths. The name was Latinized as Theodoricus or Theodericus, originally from a Common Germanic form * þeudo- rīks ("people-ruler"), which would have resulted in a Gothic þiuda-reiks. Anglicized spellings of the name during Late Antiquity and the Early Middle Ages include Theodoric, Theoderic, Theudoric, Theuderic. Gregory of Tours Latinized the name as Theodorus, in origin the unrelated Greek name Theodore (Θεόδωρος, meaning "god-gift").
As the name survived throughout the Middle Ages, it transformed into a multitude of forms in the languages of Western Europe. These include the High German form Dietrich, abbreviated Dieter, the Low German and Dutch form Diederik, or Dierik, abbreviated Dirk, Diede, the patronymic Tietjens derived from the personal form Tietje, the Norwegian Tjodrik, and the French Thierry. Italian, Portuguese and Spanish have Teodorico.
The English forms Derek, Derrick and Terry have been re-introduced from the continent, from Low German, Dutch and French sources. The Welsh form Tudur is the origin of the name of the English Tudor dynasty.
Usage examples of "theodoric".
THE MOUSE Theodoric Voler had been brought up, from infancy to the confines of middle age, by a fond mother whose chief solicitude had been to keep him screened from what she called the coarser realities of life.
When she died she left Theodoric alone in a world that was as real as ever, and a good deal coarser than he considered it had any need to be.
Without being actually afraid of mice, Theodoric classed them among the coarser incidents of life, and considered that Providence, with a little exercise of moral courage, might long ago have recognised that they were not indispensable, and have withdrawn them from circulation.
How much had she seen, Theodoric queried to himself, and in any case what on earth must she think of his present posture?
The furtive glance which Theodoric stole at her from time to time disclosed only an unwinking wakefulness.
A skeleton dressed in a dusty suit of mail trudged out of the room and returned several minutes later with Amy and Theodoric before him.
She sighed in relief when she saw Amy and Theodoric sitting on a couch in the parlor that connected their rooms.
Amy rushed off immediately and began to pack although Theodoric took a few steps and then stopped.
He regretted that he could not spend more time with Amy and Theodoric, but soon their tutor would arrive and they would be busy with their instruction.
Ismene felt herself break into a sweat immediately as she helped the children bathe, promising Theodoric that Alfred would get a bath after him.
A Gothic historian applauds the consulship of Theodoric as the height of all temporal glory and greatness.
A Gothic historian applauds the consulship of Theodoric as the height of all temporal glory and greatness.
The ambassadors of the nations are successively introduced: Theodoric listens with attention, answers them with discreet brevity, and either announces or delays, according to the nature of their business, his final resolution.
At the supper, a more familiar repast, buffoons and pantomimes are sometimes introduced, to divert, not to offend, the company, by their ridiculous wit: but female singers, and the soft, effeminate modes of music, are severely banished, and such martial tunes as animate the soul to deeds of valor are alone grateful to the ear of Theodoric.
Stephen at Verona was demolished by the command of Theodoric, it is probable that some miracle hostile to his name and dignity had been performed on that sacred theatre.