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Timothy Boy

Popularity: #199 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

PronunciationTIM-uh-thee / /ˈtɪməθi/

Greek; Hebrew

Meaning

Greek: 'honoring God'; Hebrew: 'God's honor'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Timothy originates from the Greek name Τιμόθεος (Timotheos), which is composed of the elements 'timao' meaning 'to honor' and 'theos' meaning 'God.' This etymological foundation suggests a meaning of 'honoring God.' The name was adopted into Latin as Timotheus before making its way into Old French and eventually into Middle English as Timothy, where it became established in the English-speaking world by the late Middle Ages.

Timothy is notably recognized in Christian tradition, particularly as a companion of the Apostle Paul in the New Testament. He is mentioned in several epistles, including 1 and 2 Timothy, which are attributed to Paul and provide guidance to Timothy in his ministry. These letters date back to the first century CE and have played a significant role in Christian theology and ecclesiastical history, contributing to the name's enduring presence in Christian communities.

The name Timothy has also been associated with various saints, including Saint Timothy, who is commemorated in the Christian liturgical calendar on January 26. His legacy as a faithful disciple and leader in the early Church has reinforced the name's significance within Christian culture. Additionally, Timothy has been used in various literary works and translations, including the King James Bible, which helped to solidify its place in religious and cultural contexts.

Symbolically, the name Timothy conveys themes of faithfulness and devotion, reflecting its biblical roots. The diminutive form Tim has emerged as a common variant, further illustrating the name's adaptability and resonance across different cultures and eras.

Trend Summary

Timothy has experienced fluctuating popularity in the United States, peaking in the 1960s and 1970s.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Tim
  • Timmy

International Variants

  • Timoteo (Italian)
  • Timothé (French)
  • Timofey (Russian)
  • Timo (Finnish)

Famous people named Timothy

Timothy Dalton is an actor best known for James Bond films The Living Daylights and Licence to Kill.

Timothy Olyphant is an actor best known for Justified, Deadwood, and Santa Clarita Diet.

Timothy Spall is an actor best known for Mr. Turner, The King's Speech, and Harry Potter series.

Timothy Hutton is an actor best known for Ordinary People, The Last Seduction, and Leverage.

Timothy McVeigh is known as the perpetrator of the Oklahoma City bombing.

Fictional characters named Timothy

Timothy is a fictional character from the children's book series The Tale of Timmy Tiptoes by Beatrix Potter. He is a clever little squirrel who gets into various adventures in the woods.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Timothy was first seen in the United States in 1880. Timothy has ranked as high as #19 nationally, which occurred in 1959, and has been most popular in California, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Illinois. In the past 5 years the name Timothy has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Timothy (2024)

StateBirthsShare
TX 150
9%
CA 137
8%
FL 101
6%
NY 90
6%
OH 88
5%
PA 79
5%
NC 77
5%
GA 64
4%
IL 54
3%
AL 51
3%
VA 50
3%
IN 49
3%
MA 47
3%
MO 44
3%
KY 44
3%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
188070
188163
188271
188362
188477
188564
188674
188754
188876
188982
189056
189166
189271
189362
189471
189560
189672
189758
189875
189960
190076
190162
190262
190349
190458
190573
190652
190781
190867
190967
191075
191188
1912128
1913160
1914174
1915253
1916246
1917260
1918285
1919249
1920269
1921249
1922288
1923325
1924322
1925319
1926274
1927325
1928297
1929292
1930307
1931344
1932341
1933346
1934336
1935371
1936439
1937673
1938882
19391,067
19401,385
19411,632
19422,275
19432,578
19442,754
19453,591
19465,152
19476,747
19488,043
19499,346
195010,498
195112,704
195214,167
195315,188
195417,427
195520,738
195623,289
195724,733
195828,794
195930,784
196030,485
196128,246
196227,107
196327,182
196428,097
196528,332
196628,927
196728,587
196826,497
196923,359
197022,427
197120,089
197217,605
197316,035
197415,892
197515,948
197616,621
197717,976
197819,597
197919,078
198019,147
198118,228
198217,463
198316,363
198416,988
198517,138
198616,875
198717,397
198816,808
198916,427
199015,699
199114,153
199212,862
199311,638
199410,768
19959,788
19968,919
19978,502
19987,845
19997,593
20007,261
20016,422
20026,020
20035,486
20045,233
20055,034
20064,706
20074,437
20084,094
20093,772
20103,453
20113,233
20123,123
20133,068
20143,011
20152,801
20162,672
20172,418
20182,355
20192,092
20202,010
20211,921
20221,844
20231,742
20241,708