Meaning
The meaning of Timothy
Timothy comes from Greek elements connected with honor and God. The meaning honoring God fits the name's pastoral and devotional associations in the New Testament.
New Testament
Timothy, coworker of Paul
Timothy appears in Acts and in Paul's letters as a trusted companion and younger leader. Paul speaks warmly of his sincere faith and usefulness in ministry.
The letters known as 1 and 2 Timothy give the name a pastoral feel. They are concerned with teaching, endurance, character, and leadership in the church.
Family faith
Lois, Eunice, and sincere faith
Second Timothy remembers the sincere faith that first lived in Timothy's grandmother Lois and mother Eunice. That gives the name a multigenerational family dimension.
For Christian naming, Timothy can suggest both personal devotion and faith handed down through family instruction.
Sound
How to pronounce Timothy
- Phonetic
- TIM-uh-thee
- IPA
- /ˈtɪməθi/
3 syllables · stress: TIM-uh-thee · ends in a vowel
Forms
Variants and nicknames
Alternate spellings
- Timotheus
- Timoteo
- Timothée
- Tymoteusz
- Timofey
Short forms and nicknames
- Tim
- Timmy
- Ty
Languages
Timothy in other languages
- Greek
- ΤιμόθεοςTimotheos
- Latin
- Timotheus
- Spanish
- Timoteo
- French
- Timothée
- German
- Timotheus
- Italian
- Timoteo
- Russian
- ТимофейTimofey
- Polish
- Tymoteusz
Christian background
Christian and biblical background
Timothy has Christian significance through Paul's missionary work, pastoral letters, and the theme of sincere inherited faith.
Scripture
The biblical figure
Timothy is a younger coworker of Paul and the recipient of two New Testament letters.
Bearers
Notable people named Timothy
biblical
TimothyYounger coworker of Paul, recipient of 1 and 2 Timothy, leader of the Ephesian church per traditionhistorical
Timothy DwightAmerican Congregationalist minister, theologian, and eighth president of Yale College, 1752 to 1817modern
Timothy GeithnerAmerican economist and 75th US Secretary of the Treasury, born 1961modern
Timothée ChalametAmerican actor known for Call Me by Your Name and Dune, born 1995
Saint
Saint Timothy
- Traditions
- Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican
- Patron of
- against stomach disorders
Catholic tradition commemorates Timothy with Titus, and Orthodox tradition keeps a separate day for Timothy alone. Timothy was traditionally the first bishop of Ephesus and was martyred there during a pagan festival.
Naming history
Naming tradition and history
Timothy has been a familiar Christian boy name for centuries. Tim makes it friendly and informal, while Timothy in full remains biblical and pastoral.
Recent US use
Timothy in recent US use
- Rank in 2025
- #203
- Peak rank
- #11 in 1960
- Recent trend
- declining over the last 5 years
- Years in the SSA records
- 146 (since 1880)
Source: US Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880-2025.
Sibling fit
Sibling name suggestions
Pairings
Names paired with Timothy
TitusPauline coworker
Timothy and Titus are venerated together as Paul's two great pastoral coworkers.
For families
For families looking at Timothy
For a Christian family, Timothy offers a warm New Testament name with a clear meaning and a gentle leadership tone.
Common questions
What does Timothy mean?
Timothy means honoring God.
Is Timothy a biblical name?
Yes. Timothy is Paul's coworker and the recipient of two New Testament letters.
Is Tim a nickname for Timothy?
Yes. Tim is the most common short form of Timothy.
Sources
Sources for Timothy
- A Greek-English Lexicon, Liddell, Scott, and JonesSupports: Greek etymology (Timotheos); meaning 'honoring God'.
- The Second Epistle of Paul to Timothy, King James Version (KJV 1769)Supports: biblical figure, Paul's coworker and recipient of the letter (2 Timothy 1:5).
- The Oxford Dictionary of Saints, David Hugh Farmer (5th edition)Supports: Saint Timothy, traditional first bishop of Ephesus; feast day (January 26, with Titus).
Last reviewed July 19, 2026. See our methodology, or report an error on the corrections page.
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