Boy · 30th of 16,616
Timothy
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
1,086,730
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1959
Peak Popularity Year
30,863
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Timothy 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 Timothy has Greek origins, meaning 'to honor God'. It evolved from 'Timotheos' in Greek to 'Timothy' in English. The name is linked to biblical references, particularly to a companion of the Apostle Paul, which contributes to its positive traits. It has maintained popularity across centuries, particularly in Christian contexts.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈtɪməθi/
Origin
Greek
Etymology
The name Timothy derives from the Greek name 'Timotheos', which is composed of the elements 'timao' meaning 'to honor' and 'theos' meaning 'God'.
Meaning
To honor God
Language Evolution
Timotheos (Greek), Timotheus (Latin), Timothy (English)
Biblical Background
Timothy is a significant figure in the New Testament, serving as a companion and disciple of the Apostle Paul.
Historical Usage
The name Timothy gained popularity in the early Christian period and has been consistently used throughout history, especially in Christian communities.
Variants & Derivatives
Tim, Timmy, Timoteo, Timo
Modern Popularity & Image
Timothy remains a popular name today, often associated with qualities of honor, faithfulness, and leadership.
Famous People
Timothy Dalton, Timothy Olyphant, Timothy McVeigh, Timothy Hutton
Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Declining
25-Year Trend:
Gradually Declining
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 30,863 peak births in 1959
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Vermont
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 14 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 10 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 14 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 332nd of 7545 | 4,860 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 155th of 6773 | 19,910 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 20th of 7552 | 368,727 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 20th of 10718 | 336,117 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 30th of 16616 | 237,514 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 79th of 24088 | 86,214 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 168th of 23106 | 27,642 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 7414th of 9107 | 13 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 4189th of 9204 | 84 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 1438th of 12526 | 995 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 1073rd of 19264 | 1,805 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 1704th of 27321 | 1,263 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 10086th of 35406 | 156 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 26286th of 30306 | 10 |