Tim Boy

Popularity: #901 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: tim /tɪm/

Origin: English; Greek

Meaning: English: Short form of Timothy; Greek: Honoring God

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Tim is a diminutive form of Timothy, which originates from the Greek name Timotheos, meaning 'honoring God' or 'in God's honor.' The name is composed of the elements 'timao,' meaning 'to honor,' and 'theos,' meaning 'God.' This Greek form was adopted into Latin as Timotheus before being introduced into Old French and subsequently into Middle English as Timothy, from which Tim emerged as a short form. The transition into English occurred around the 16th century, coinciding with the Renaissance and the increased interest in classical texts and names.

Timothy is notably recognized in the Christian tradition as a companion of the Apostle Paul, mentioned in the New Testament of the Bible. He is traditionally believed to have been a significant figure in the early Christian church, serving as a bishop and martyr.

The letters of Paul to Timothy, known as the First and Second Epistles to Timothy, are key texts in the New Testament, dating to the 1st century CE. These letters provide guidance on church leadership and moral conduct, further solidifying the name's religious significance.

Culturally, the name Tim and its variants have been associated with qualities such as honor and faithfulness, reflecting its etymological roots. The name has been embraced in various forms across different cultures, often maintaining its connection to the divine.

In literature and popular culture, characters named Tim have appeared frequently, reinforcing the name's enduring presence. The diminutive form Tim has become a familiar and approachable version of Timothy, often used affectionately in familial and social contexts.

Famous people named Tim

In this section, you will find notable people named Tim. 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 Tim who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Tim 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.

Tim Allen is an actor and comedian best known for Home Improvement, Toy Story, and Last Man Standing.

Tim Burton is a filmmaker and artist best known for Edward Scissorhands, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and Beetlejuice.

Tim McGraw is a country music singer and actor best known for Live Like You Were Dying, It's Your Love, and The Blind Side.

Tim Robbins is an actor and director best known for The Shawshank Redemption, Mystic River, and Bull Durham.

Tim Rice is a lyricist and author best known for The Lion King, Aladdin, and Evita.

Tim Howard is a former professional soccer player best known for his time with Manchester United, Everton, and the U.S. Men's National Team.

Tim Duncan is a retired professional basketball player best known for his career with the San Antonio Spurs and winning five NBA championships.

Tim Ferriss is an author and entrepreneur best known for The 4-Hour Workweek, The 4-Hour Body, and The 4-Hour Chef.

Tim Henman is a retired professional tennis player best known for his performances at Wimbledon and being a British tennis icon.

Tim Roth is an actor best known for Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Dogs, and The Hateful Eight.

Fictional characters named Tim

The following list of fictional characters named Tim is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Tim Drake is a fictional character from the DC Comics universe. He is the third Robin, who takes on the mantle after discovering Batman's identity and proving himself as a skilled crimefighter.

Sibling suggestions

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

TomSamBenMaxJakeLeo

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Tim. 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.

JimTimmyTobiasTimoTitusTobinTannerTalon

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Tim was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Tim has ranked as high as #125 nationally, which occurred in 1960, and has been most popular in California, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, and Texas.

In the past 5 years the name Tim has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Tim 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 Tim 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 Tim.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 37 37 0
2024 54 54 0
2023 37 37 0
2022 32 32 0
2021 42 42 0
2020 32 32 0
2019 57 57 0
2018 57 57 0
2017 53 53 0
2016 68 68 0
2015 61 61 0
2014 75 75 0
2013 51 51 0
2012 41 41 0
2011 48 48 0
2010 65 65 0
2009 69 69 0
2008 70 70 0
2007 77 77 0
2006 78 78 0
2005 84 84 0
2004 60 60 0
2003 88 88 0
2002 79 79 0
2001 81 81 0
2000 91 91 0
1999 74 74 0
1998 61 61 0
1997 57 57 0
1996 61 61 0
1995 51 51 0
1994 69 69 0
1993 64 64 0
1992 78 78 0
1991 68 68 0
1990 77 77 0
1989 96 96 0
1988 92 92 0
1987 83 83 0
1986 75 75 0
1985 101 101 0
1984 122 122 0
1983 96 96 0
1982 139 139 0
1981 162 162 0
1980 165 165 0
1979 148 148 0
1978 246 246 0
1977 254 254 0
1976 296 291 5
1975 332 327 5
1974 410 410 0
1973 523 523 0
1972 738 733 5
1971 1,058 1,049 9
1970 1,340 1,324 16
1969 1,553 1,544 9
1968 2,081 2,073 8
1967 2,631 2,624 7
1966 3,149 3,141 8
1965 3,732 3,718 14
1964 4,706 4,695 11
1963 5,021 5,016 5
1962 5,595 5,585 10
1961 6,258 6,245 13
1960 6,944 6,931 13
1959 6,839 6,826 13
1958 5,548 5,540 8
1957 3,263 3,251 12
1956 1,717 1,717 0
1955 1,144 1,144 0
1954 820 815 5
1953 744 744 0
1952 696 696 0
1951 715 715 0
1950 759 754 5
1949 1,014 1,007 7
1948 1,296 1,296 0
1947 1,330 1,330 0
1946 1,134 1,134 0
1945 779 779 0
1944 605 605 0
1943 618 618 0
1942 512 512 0
1941 388 388 0
1940 333 333 0
1939 245 245 0
1938 270 270 0
1937 162 162 0
1936 134 134 0
1935 131 131 0
1934 114 114 0
1933 101 101 0
1932 87 87 0
1931 72 72 0
1930 61 61 0
1929 74 74 0
1928 50 50 0
1927 64 64 0
1926 65 65 0
1925 60 60 0
1924 62 62 0
1923 65 65 0
1922 49 49 0
1921 54 54 0
1920 64 64 0
1919 57 57 0
1918 67 67 0
1917 48 48 0
1916 56 56 0
1915 40 40 0
1914 55 55 0
1913 37 37 0
1912 36 36 0
1911 23 23 0
1910 34 34 0
1909 30 30 0
1908 21 21 0
1907 19 19 0
1906 15 15 0
1905 19 19 0
1904 14 14 0
1903 25 25 0
1902 18 18 0
1901 8 8 0
1900 22 22 0
1899 13 13 0
1898 12 12 0
1897 7 7 0
1896 14 14 0
1895 15 15 0
1894 8 8 0
1893 19 19 0
1892 12 12 0
1891 15 15 0
1890 17 17 0
1889 14 14 0
1888 10 10 0
1887 18 18 0
1886 14 14 0
1885 16 16 0
1884 16 16 0
1883 16 16 0
1882 11 11 0
1881 12 12 0
1880 12 12 0

Top States for Tim (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 14
70%
TX 6
30%