Timothy

Honoring God — a boy name of Greek origin

GenderBoy
OriginGreek
MeaningHonoring God
PronunciationTIM-uh-thee

Popularity of Timothy in the United States

#203Rank in 2025
1,734Births in 2025
#11 in 1960Peak Popularity
↓ Declining10-Year Trend

Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA). Based on all Social Security card applications for births in the United States.

Meaning & Origin of Timothy

Timothy comes from the Greek name Timotheos, composed of "timao" (to honor) and "theos" (god), meaning "one who honors God." In the New Testament, Timothy was a young disciple and companion of the apostle Paul, to whom Paul addressed two epistles (1 Timothy and 2 Timothy). The name became common among early Christians and has remained in widespread use ever since. Timothy was particularly popular in the United States from the 1960s through the 1980s, consistently ranking in the top 15 boys' names. It carries an enduring sense of warmth and dependability.

Timothy Around the World

Timothy is used in 2 languages worldwide, with 17+ international variants.

Languages
EnglishDutch
Details

TypeMale given name

International Variants
TimEnglish
Timotheos
TimoteoItalian
TimofeyRussian
Timotejmultiple languages
Timoteus
Timót
TimothéeFrench
TymoteuszPolish
TimotheusDutch
TimothejCzech
Timóteo
Timmothy
Timmy
Timothey
TymofiiUkrainian
Timoty

Linguistic data: Wikidata (CC0). Variants and language usage may vary by region.

Nicknames for Timothy

TimTimmyTimo

Famous People Named Timothy

  • Timothée Chalamet — American actor
  • Timothy Dalton — Welsh actor and James Bond portrayer
  • Tim Berners-Lee — English computer scientist who invented the World Wide Web

Similar Names to Timothy

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Sibling Name Ideas for Timothy

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Timothy mean?

Timothy is a boy name of Greek origin meaning "Honoring God." Timothy comes from the Greek name Timotheos, composed of "timao" (to honor) and "theos" (god), meaning "one who honors God." In the New Testament, Timothy was a young disciple and companion of the apostle Paul, to whom Paul addressed two epistles (1 Timothy and 2 Timothy).

How do you pronounce Timothy?

Timothy is pronounced TIM-uh-thee. Common variations include Timothée, Timoteo, Timotheus.

Is Timothy a boy name?

Yes, Timothy is traditionally a boy name. Popular nicknames include Tim, Timmy, Timo.

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