"honoring God"
Origin: Greek
Language: Greek
Tim
Pronunciation: [ t-IHM ]
Does Tim flow with your last name?
A solid classic that honors God — simply
English
American
European
Classic
Traditional
Minimalist
Strong
Vintage
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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The Story of Tim
Tim is the short form of Timothy, from the Greek Timotheos meaning honoring God — composed of time (honor) and theos (God). The name was used by early Christians, most famously by Saint Timothy, the companion and protege of the Apostle Paul. Paul addressed two letters in the New Testament to Timothy, making it one of the most foundational Christian names.
Timothy/Tim was enormously popular in the mid-20th century, particularly in the 1950s-1970s in English-speaking countries. It has since declined sharply, now carrying a distinctly mid-century quality.
Saint Timothy was one of the earliest Christian missionaries and bishop of Ephesus. In Western Christianity, his feast day is January 22nd. The name has been a staple of English-speaking Christian culture for nearly 2000 years.
Historical Record
Tim first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 72,426 babies have been named Tim in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Tim is past its peak , currently ranked #2,523 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- There are two Epistles of Timothy in the New Testament — letters from Paul to his companion Timothy
- Tim was a top-20 name for boys in the US during the 1960s; it now ranks outside the top 500
Tim in Other Languages
Greek
Τιμόθεος
French
Timothée
German
Timotheus
Italian
Timoteo
Spanish
Timoteo
Popularity Over Time
#2,523
Current Rank
Peaked 1959
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Tim
T
Tim Cook
Business
1960
CEO of Apple Inc., one of the most influential executives in technology history
T
Tim Burton
Artist
1958
American director known for gothic, whimsical films like Edward Scissorhands and Batman
T
Tiny Tim Fictional
Other
The beloved boy in Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol who utters 'God bless us, every one!'
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Compare Tim with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #2,523
- Total SSA Count
- 54
- Cultural Origins
- English American European
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Timmy
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Tim
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Tim is also used as a girl name, ranked #65286.
View Tim as a girl name →Similar Names
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Celtic origin
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English origin
"son of Hugh, spirit"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Tim
What does the name Tim mean?
"honoring God" (from Greek). Tim is the short form of Timothy, from the Greek Timotheos meaning honoring God — composed of time (honor) and theos (God). The name was used by early Christians, most famously by Saint Timothy, the companion and protege of the Apostle Paul. Paul addressed two letters in the New Testament to Timothy, making it one of the most foundational Christian names.
What is the origin of the name Tim?
Tim has Greek, English, American, and European origins. In Greek, it means "honoring God".
Is Tim a boy or girl name?
Tim is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #2523. As a girl name, it is ranked #65286. Tim is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Tim?
Tim is pronounced t-IHM.
How popular is the name Tim?
Tim is currently ranked #2523 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Tim?
Common nicknames for Tim include Timmy.
What are good middle names for Tim?
Popular middle name pairings include Tim James, Tim Robert, Tim Allen, Tim Lee, Tim Patrick, and Tim John.
What are good sibling names for Tim?
Names that pair well with Tim as siblings include Tom, Jennifer, Karen, Chris, Susan, and Michael.
How many syllables does Tim have?
Tim has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Tim a common or rare name?
Tim is an uncommon name, ranked #2523 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Tim?
About the Name Tim
Tim is a boy name with English, American, and European origins . The name means "honoring God" in Greek .
Is Tim a boy or girl name? Tim is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #2,523 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #65,286. Tim is more commonly used as a boy name.
Tim is currently ranked #2,523 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Tim has 1 syllable and is pronounced t-IHM, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Tim include Timmy. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Tim include Timothy, Timur, Timoteo, Timber, Timothee . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis