Timothy

Timothy Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity

TIH-muh-thee

Meaning of Timothy: The name Timothy derives from Greek Timotheos, a compound of time meaning "honor" or "respect" and theos meaning "God.".

US Rank

No. 208

Births

1,708

Peak Year

1960

The combined sense is "honoring God" or "one who honors God." The name appears in Hellenistic Jewish and early Christian naming patterns of the eastern Mediterranean from the first century BC.

Furthermore, Timothy carries New Testament weight as the young protege of Saint Paul, recipient of the epistles 1 and 2 Timothy. Tradition names him the first bishop of Ephesus, martyred around 97 AD. His feast on January 26 remains shared with Saint Titus in Western Christian calendars.

What Does Timothy Mean? Origin & Etymology

Notably, Timothy peaked in the United States in 1960 at rank 11, then held within the top 100 through 1992 before easing. The 2024 figure sits at rank 208 with 1,708 births recorded by the Social Security Administration, reflecting a quiet decline from mid-century peak.

Across languages, spelling variants include Timoteo (Italian, Spanish, Portuguese), Timothée (French), Timotheus (German and Dutch liturgical), Tymoteusz (Polish), and Timofey (Russian). The biblical lineage keeps each form in active Catholic, Protestant, and Eastern Orthodox use across Christian communities worldwide.

The key finding here is regional pattern: Timothy appears most often in Texas, Pennsylvania, and Georgia as of 2024, reflecting broad American Christian affinity for New Testament names alongside siblings such as Matthew, Benjamin, and Joshua.

Pronunciation in American English follows TIM-uh-thee, with stress on the opening syllable and a three-syllable flow. Common nicknames include Tim, Timmy, and Tommy-adjacent Timo, giving parents multiple daily options while keeping the full biblical form for school papers and formal use.

How Popular Is Timothy?

Numerology & Symbolism of Timothy

Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.

T(2) + I(9) + M(4) + O(6) + T(2) + H(8) + Y(7) = 38 = 11

Destiny number

Intuition

Sum of all letters, reduced to a single digit

Soul urge

Love

Sum of vowels only - reveals inner desires

Expression

Adaptability

Sum of consonants - how others perceive you

Letters 7

Vowels / consonants 2 / 5

Birthstone Pearl

Lucky color Silver

1 Leadership Independent, driven, original — the initiator who forges new paths.

2 Harmony Diplomatic and cooperative, thriving through partnership and balance.

3 Expression Creative and communicative, bringing joy through art and words.

4 Stability Disciplined and dependable, building lasting structures through hard work.

5 Freedom Adventurous and adaptable, drawn to change, travel, and new experiences.

6 Nurturing Caring and responsible, focused on home, family, and community.

7 Wisdom Analytical and introspective, seeking truth through study and reflection.

8 Ambition Authoritative and goal-oriented, excelling in business and material achievement.

9 Compassion Humanitarian and idealistic, driven by a desire to serve and uplift others.

11 Intuition Master number: heightened sensitivity and spiritual insight beyond the ordinary.

22 Master Builder Master number: visionary practicality that turns ambitious dreams into reality.

33 Master Teacher Master number: selfless guidance and healing offered for the good of all.

Timothy – Similar Names & Alternatives

Theodore

From ancient Greek Theodōros: “theos” (god) + “dōron”…

Lucas

From Latin “Lucanus” meaning man from Lucania, via Greek…

Sebastian

From Greek “sebastós” meaning venerable or revered, via…

Alexander

From Greek “alexein” (to defend) + “aner” (man), meaning…

Luke

From Latin “Lucanus” meaning man from Lucania, a region of…

Not seeing what you want? Browse all names by origin or popularity

Frequently Asked Questions about Timothy

What does the name Timothy mean?

Timothy means honoring God or honored by God. It derives from Greek Timotheos, combining time (honor) and theos (God). The name carries strong New Testament associations through Paul's companion Timothy.

What is the origin of the name Timothy?

Timothy originates from Greek Timotheos. It entered Christian use through Timothy of Lystra, a companion of the Apostle Paul and first bishop of Ephesus.

How popular is the name Timothy in the US?

Timothy ranked #208 among boys in the United States in 2024, according to SSA data. It peaked in the top 20 from the 1950s through 1980s and has declined gradually since.

Is Timothy a biblical name?

Timothy is a New Testament name. Timothy of Lystra was a close companion of the Apostle Paul, addressed in 2 epistles (1 Timothy and 2 Timothy) in the New Testament canon.

What names are similar to Timothy?

Names similar to Timothy include Theodore, Nathaniel, Matthias, Thaddeus, and Thomas. These share its Greek biblical heritage or its classic New Testament character.

AK No. 101 AL No. 112 AR No. 343 AZ No. 294 CA No. 278 CO No. 226 CT No. 243 DC No. 238 DE No. 234 FL No. 211 GA No. 189 HI No. 208 IA No. 307 ID No. 189 IL No. 229 IN No. 174 KS No. 239 KY No. 132 LA No. 245 MA No. 148 MD No. 253 ME No. 205 MI No. 227 MN No. 232 MO No. 163 MS No. 194 MT No. 130 NC No. 162 ND No. 270 NE No. 417 NH No. 234 NJ No. 294 NM No. 405 NV No. 289 NY No. 215 OH No. 159 OK No. 281 OR No. 341 PA No. 168 RI No. 232 SC No. 168 SD No. 288 TN No. 208 TX No. 259 UT No. 229 VA No. 185 VT No. 139 WA No. 217 WI No. 188 WV No. 226 WY No. 119