Theophilus Boy

Popularity: #881 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: thee-AH-fi-lus /θiˈɑːfɪləs/

Origin: Greek; Latin

Meaning: Greek: 'God's friend'; Latin: 'friend of God'

Historical & Cultural Background

Theophilus is derived from the Greek name Θεόφιλος (Theophilos), which is composed of two elements: 'theos' meaning 'god' and 'philos' meaning 'friend' or 'beloved'. This etymological combination conveys the literal meaning of 'friend of God' or 'beloved of God'.

The name entered the English language through the Latin form Theophilus, which was used in early Christian texts and subsequently adopted into Old French before making its way into Middle English. Historically, Theophilus appears in various significant contexts.

One notable figure is Theophilus of Antioch, a second-century Christian apologist who wrote a defense of Christianity, known as 'Ad Autolycum'. Additionally, the name is associated with a prominent bishop of Alexandria, Theophilus, who served in the late fourth and early fifth centuries and was known for his opposition to paganism and his role in the development of early Christian doctrine.

The name also appears in the New Testament, specifically in the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, where it is addressed to a person named Theophilus, suggesting a patron or a seeker of knowledge. Culturally, Theophilus has resonated within Christian traditions, symbolizing a close relationship with the divine.

The name has been borne by various saints and ecclesiastical figures throughout history, contributing to its enduring presence in religious contexts. The diminutive form 'Theo' has also emerged, reflecting a more informal or affectionate usage while maintaining the original name's sacred connotations.

Overall, Theophilus encapsulates a rich tapestry of linguistic, historical, and cultural significance, linking it to themes of faith and divine friendship.

Famous people named Theophilus

In this section, you will find notable people named Theophilus. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Theophilus who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Theophilus who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Theophilus London is a musician best known for his albums Timez Are Weird These Days, Vibes, and Bebey.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Theophilus, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

TheodoreSophiaNathanielGabrielEliasJulian

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Theophilus. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

TheonTobiasThaddeusTimothyTobiahTitusTheo

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Theophilus was first seen in the United States in 1882.

Theophilus has ranked as high as #4591 nationally, which occurred in 2022, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Georgia, Washington, and Pennsylvania.

In the past 5 years the name Theophilus has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Theophilus is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Theophilus was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Theophilus.

Year Total Births Boy
2025 57 57
2024 65 65
2023 63 63
2022 68 68
2021 44 44
2020 43 43
2019 42 42
2018 49 49
2017 40 40
2016 48 48
2015 34 34
2014 39 39
2013 38 38
2012 36 36
2011 18 18
2010 16 16
2009 17 17
2008 19 19
2007 26 26
2006 17 17
2005 24 24
2004 17 17
2003 27 27
2002 20 20
2001 16 16
2000 21 21
1999 24 24
1998 24 24
1997 23 23
1996 16 16
1995 10 10
1994 14 14
1993 13 13
1992 20 20
1991 12 12
1990 17 17
1989 14 14
1988 23 23
1987 14 14
1986 13 13
1985 13 13
1984 12 12
1983 13 13
1982 17 17
1981 22 22
1980 16 16
1979 19 19
1978 15 15
1977 32 32
1976 11 11
1975 22 22
1974 15 15
1973 15 15
1972 15 15
1971 20 20
1970 11 11
1969 13 13
1968 14 14
1967 19 19
1966 17 17
1965 18 18
1964 11 11
1963 13 13
1962 13 13
1961 12 12
1960 16 16
1959 16 16
1958 17 17
1957 27 27
1956 18 18
1955 24 24
1954 28 28
1953 20 20
1952 21 21
1951 21 21
1950 22 22
1949 25 25
1948 25 25
1947 19 19
1946 18 18
1945 13 13
1944 14 14
1943 9 9
1942 12 12
1941 7 7
1940 10 10
1939 9 9
1938 17 17
1937 10 10
1936 11 11
1935 8 8
1934 15 15
1933 16 16
1932 12 12
1931 19 19
1930 18 18
1929 17 17
1928 15 15
1927 19 19
1926 12 12
1925 17 17
1924 30 30
1923 10 10
1922 22 22
1921 28 28
1920 21 21
1919 24 24
1918 24 24
1917 20 20
1916 15 15
1915 20 20
1914 15 15
1913 15 15
1912 7 7
1911 9 9
1910 7 7
1909 7 7
1907 6 6
1904 6 6
1901 6 6
1888 5 5
1885 5 5
1884 5 5
1882 5 5

Top States for Theophilus (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 7
37%
TX 7
37%
WA 5
26%