"honoring God"
Origin: Greek
Language: English
Timothy
Pronunciation: [ t-IHM-uhth-ee ]
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A New Testament name honoring God with enduring steadiness
English
American
Christian
Greek
Classic
Traditional
Strong
Vintage
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"one who glorifies God"
Origin: Ancient Greek
Language: Greek
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The Story of Timothy
Timothy derives from the ancient Greek name Timotheos, composed of 'timao' (to honor) and 'theos' (God), meaning 'honoring God'. The name was popularized by Saint Timothy, a companion of the Apostle Paul who is the recipient of two New Testament epistles (1 and 2 Timothy). Timothy of Lystra became one of the earliest Christian missionaries, making this name a cornerstone of Christian naming traditions.
Timothy reached peak popularity in the United States in the 1960s-70s, consistently ranking in the top 20. It has since declined but remains in steady use, representing the large cohort of 'Tims' who are now in their 40s-60s. It is seeing modest revival as vintage names cycle back into fashion.
Timothy is beloved in Christian communities worldwide because of Saint Timothy's role as Paul's companion and first bishop of Ephesus. In the Eastern Orthodox tradition, Timothy is commemorated as a martyr. The name carries strong connotations of faith and service.
Historical Record
Timothy first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 1,026,926 babies have been named Timothy in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Timothy is past its peak , currently ranked #208 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Two books of the New Testament (1 Timothy and 2 Timothy) are letters addressed to Saint Timothy
- Timothée Chalamet (French form) brought the name fresh cultural cachet for younger generations
- Timothy was a top-20 US boys' name for most of the 1960s and 1970s
Timothy in Other Languages
Greek
Τιμόθεος (Timotheos)
French
Timothée
Italian
Timoteo
Russian
Тимофей (Timofey)
Spanish
Timoteo
Popularity Over Time
#208
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1960
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Timothy
T
T
Timothy McVeigh
Other
1968
American domestic terrorist responsible for the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing — note this association
S
Saint Timothy
Religious
First-century Christian bishop and companion of the Apostle Paul, recipient of two New Testament epistles
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #208
- Total SSA Count
- 1,708
- Cultural Origins
- English American Christian Greek
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Tim
Timmy
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Timothy
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Timothy is also used as a girl name, ranked #53396.
View Timothy as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Timothy
What does the name Timothy mean?
"honoring God" (from Greek). "one who glorifies God" (from Ancient Greek). Timothy derives from the ancient Greek name Timotheos, composed of 'timao' (to honor) and 'theos' (God), meaning 'honoring God'. The name was popularized by Saint Timothy, a companion of the Apostle Paul who is the recipient of two New Testament epistles (1 and 2 Timothy). Timothy of Lystra became one of the earliest Christian missionaries, making this name a cornerstone of Christian naming traditions.
What is the origin of the name Timothy?
Timothy has Greek, Ancient Greek, English, American, and Christian origins. In Greek, it means "honoring God". In Ancient Greek, it means "one who glorifies God".
Is Timothy a boy or girl name?
Timothy is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #208. As a girl name, it is ranked #53396. Timothy is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Timothy?
Timothy is pronounced t-IHM-uhth-ee.
How popular is the name Timothy?
Timothy is currently ranked #208 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Timothy?
Common nicknames for Timothy include Tim and Timmy.
What are good middle names for Timothy?
Popular middle name pairings include Timothy James, Timothy John, Timothy Lee, Timothy Michael, Timothy Allen, Timothy Paul, and Timothy David.
What are good sibling names for Timothy?
Names that pair well with Timothy as siblings include Matthew, Stephen, Rebecca, Rachel, Elizabeth, and Daniel.
How many syllables does Timothy have?
Timothy has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Timothy a common or rare name?
Timothy is a popular name, ranked #208 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.
What boy names are similar to Timothy?
About the Name Timothy
Timothy is a boy name with English, American, Christian, and Greek origins . The name means "honoring God" in Greek .
Is Timothy a boy or girl name? Timothy is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #208 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #53,396. Timothy is more commonly used as a boy name.
Timothy is currently ranked #208 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Timothy has 3 syllables and is pronounced t-IHM-uhth-ee, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Timothy include Tim and Timmy. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Timothy include Timoteo, Timothee, Timofey . 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