Timothy
Peaked at #11 nationally in 1960, based on real US Social Security Administration birth records.
Girls vs. boys, all-time
Since 1880, Timothy has been recorded <1% of the time for girls and >99% of the time for boys.
Meaning & origin
Timothy derives from the Greek Timotheos, a compound of timē ("honor") and theos ("god"), generally translated as "honoring God" or "one who honors God." It entered English usage through the New Testament, where Timothy was a close companion of the Apostle Paul and the recipient of two epistles bearing his name.
Notable people & culture
Apple CEO Tim Cook has made the name synonymous with modern tech leadership, while actors Timothy Dalton and Tim Robbins carried it through film and stage. Country star Tim McGraw and actor-comedian Tim Allen are other well-known bearers. The name is most often shortened to Tim or Timmy in everyday use.
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Timothy — Girls (United States)
StablePeak rank
#878
in 1968
Last ranked
#18642
in 2016
Years tracked
79
1921–2016
Trend
Stable
Tracked since 1921, Timothy reached its peak popularity for girls in 1968, ranking #878 nationally with 138 babies given the name that year.
Timothy hasn't appeared among the national top ranks for girls since 2016, when it stood at #18642.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | #18,642 | 5 |
| 2015 | #18,882 | 5 |
| 2012 | #19,312 | 5 |
| 2010 | #19,607 | 5 |
| 2008 | #17,331 | 6 |
| 2007 | #15,355 | 7 |
| 2006 | #19,843 | 5 |
| 2005 | #12,921 | 8 |
Timothy — Boys (United States)
FallingPeak rank
#11
in 1960
Current rank
#208
in 2024
Years tracked
145
1880–2024
Trend
Falling
Tracked since 1880, Timothy reached its peak popularity for boys in 1960, ranking #11 nationally with 30,485 babies given the name that year.
Over the last 10 years of data, its rank has slipped from #134 (2014) to #208 (2024) — a 36% drop.
As of 2024, Timothy ranks #208 nationally for boys, with 1,708 babies given the name that year.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | #208 | 1,708 |
| 2023 | #211 | 1,742 |
| 2022 | #202 | 1,844 |
| 2021 | #199 | 1,921 |
| 2020 | #193 | 2,010 |
| 2019 | #188 | 2,092 |
| 2018 | #165 | 2,355 |
| 2017 | #163 | 2,418 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, National Data, 1880–2024.
Similar trajectory
Other names that peaked around the same era and rose or fell on a comparable curve.
Based on US data — boys' names only.
Common Questions
When was Timothy most popular?
Timothy was most popular in 1960, when it ranked #11 nationally for boys — the highest rank it has reached in this data.
Is Timothy becoming more or less popular?
For girls, it's currently stable; for boys, it's currently falling, based on the last decade of SSA data.
How many babies have been named Timothy?
At least 1,086,730 babies have been recorded with the name Timothy in the US since 1880, according to Social Security Administration birth records.
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