Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
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
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
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Name Visualizations
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 (1 Variations)
Explore names that share identical pronunciation with different spellings. These variations offer alternative options for parents seeking unique yet familiar-sounding choices. This curated collection includes 1 carefully selected variations that maintain the same phonetic sound while providing distinct spelling options.
Why consider alternative spellings? Different spellings can offer unique cultural significance or personal preference while maintaining the familiar sound. This collection covers various spelling patterns, helping you find variations that match your preferences.
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
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
83.05% 1176th/1416 |
86.58% 1194th/1379 |
34.83% 824th/2366 |
61.21% 699th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
17.46% 270th/1546 |
31.36% 488th/1556 |
19.63% 462nd/2353 |
14.67% 227th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
3.50% 78th/2227 |
7.20% 175th/2430 |
5.61% 160th/2853 |
3.50% 97th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
4.60% 135th/2937 |
9.16% 319th/3483 |
7.67% 270th/3518 |
4.80% 194th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
26.00% 958th/3685 |
39.20% 1754th/4475 |
26.88% 1396th/5194 |
16.15% 1020th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
57.14% 2618th/4582 |
32.77% 1692nd/5164 |
31.29% 2288th/7313 |
17.23% 1286th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
71.34% 2842nd/3984 |
59.86% 2686th/4487 |
44.09% 3008th/6822 |
25.11% 1576th/6276 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity
This map shows relative popularity across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends in the United States
This name shows strongest popularity in Montana across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Baby Boomers generation in the MidWest region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, usage has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, popularity patterns vary significantly: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 808th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 352nd out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 120th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 211th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 1083rd out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 1832nd out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 2543rd out of 23106 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 5308th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 7493rd out of 19264 names. Explore how this name has evolved through American history with comprehensive regional and generational analysis.