Boy · 120th of 7,552
Tim
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
83,515
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1960
Peak Popularity Year
6,944
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Tim stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name Tim has Greek origins, derived from the name Timothy, which means 'honoring God'. It has evolved through various forms, including Timotheos and Timotheus, before becoming Tim in modern English. The name is linked to positive traits such as friendliness and reliability, and it holds biblical significance as a reference to a companion of Paul in the New Testament.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/tɪm/
Origin
Greek
Etymology
Tim is derived from the name Timothy, which comes from the Greek name 'Timotheos', meaning 'honoring God' or 'in God's honor'.
Meaning
honoring God
Language Evolution
Timotheos (Greek), Timotheus (Latin), Tim (modern English)
Biblical Background
Tim has biblical relevance as it is a short form of Timothy, a prominent figure in the New Testament who was a companion of the Apostle Paul.
Historical Usage
The name Timothy became popular in early Christianity, and the shortened form 'Tim' gained popularity in the 20th century as a standalone name.
Variants & Derivatives
Timmy, Timothy, Timoteo
Modern Popularity & Image
Tim is often perceived as a friendly and approachable name, commonly associated with warmth and reliability.
Famous People
Tim Allen, Tim Burton, Tim Duncan, Tim Robbins
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 6,944 peak births in 1960
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Montana
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 9 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 1 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 9 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 808th of 7545 | 1,105 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 352nd of 6773 | 4,736 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 120th of 7552 | 55,446 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 211th of 10718 | 18,570 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 1083rd of 16616 | 1,435 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 1832nd of 24088 | 1,123 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 2543rd of 23106 | 619 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 5308th of 12526 | 102 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 7493rd of 19264 | 86 |