Timothy
Timothy is a boy's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
Honoring God or honored by God.
Origin and history
Timothy is a classic masculine name derived from the Greek Timotheos, meaning 'honoring God' or 'honored by God'. It became widely popular in the English-speaking world following the Protestant Reformation and remained a top classic throughout the 20th century. While its usage has softened in recent years, it remains a timeless staple in the United States.
Popularity in the United States
1,084,192 babies in the United States have been named Timothy since 1880. It ranks #26 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #201.
States where it is most popular
- CA (8 %)
- NY (7 %)
- OH (6.7 %)
- PA (5.8 %)
- IL (5.7 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 693 |
| 1890-1900 | 650 |
| 1900-1910 | 647 |
| 1910-1920 | 1,918 |
| 1920-1930 | 2,960 |
| 1930-1940 | 5,105 |
| 1940-1950 | 43,503 |
| 1950-1960 | 198,324 |
| 1960-1970 | 276,837 |
| 1970-1980 | 181,260 |
| 1980-1990 | 172,835 |
| 1990-2000 | 107,772 |
| 2000-2010 | 52,470 |
| 2010-2019 | 28,234 |
| 2020-2029 | 10,984 |
Famous people named Timothy
- Timothy Chalamet: Actor
- Timothy Olyphant: Actor
- Timothy Dalton: Actor
Nicknames
Tim, Timmy, Timoteo
Fun facts
- Saint Timothy served as a bishop of Ephesus and is commemorated as a key figure in the early Christian church.
- Timothy ranks among the top 30 most popular male names in U.S. history with over one million births recorded since 1880.