Boy New Testament Known
Timothy
Τιμόθεος
Timothy (Greek: Τιμόθεος) is a biblical name; its Greek etymology is not securely established. It appears in 30 verses across 12 books of the Bible. In 2025 it was given to 1,734 children in the United States, ranking 203. Use is falling away. Around 1,088,520 Americans have been given it since 1880. Appears with Erastus in Acts 19.
The bearer in scripture
One person in scripture bears this name.
-
Timothy
daughter of Eunice
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 30 across 12 books
- Bearers
- 1 one person only
- Testament
- New
- Era
- Apostolic
The same name elsewhere
| Country | Form | Standing | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Timothy | rank 203 · 1,734 in 2025 | Births in year |
| Brazil | TIMOTEO | 3,100 bearers · born 1930–2010 | Living residents |
| Spain | TIMOTEO | 1,228 bearers · mean age 66.3 | Living residents |
| Portugal | Timóteo | permitted | IRN approved list |
Two different questions are shown here. Rows marked births in year count children registered during a period; rows marked living residents count people of every age alive at a census. They answer different questions and are never added together.
Using it today
Based on 2025 births across the United States.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Given in 2025 | 1,734 | Falling |
| All-time total | 1,088,520 | Since records begin in 1880 |
| Peak | 30,862 in 1959 | Its highest year on record |
| Strongest state | CA | Highest share relative to births |
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | Acts 16:1 |
| Last appears | Hebrews 13:25 |
| Cross-references | 1,088 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Silas co-occurrence Appears with Silas in Acts 17.
- Sopater co-occurrence Appears with Sopater in Acts 20.
- Lucius co-occurrence Appears with Lucius in Romans 16.
- Pyrrhus co-occurrence Appears with Pyrrhus in Acts 20.
- Erastus co-occurrence Appears with Erastus in Acts 19.
- Gaius co-occurrence Appears with Gaius in Acts 20.
- Secundus co-occurrence Appears with Secundus in Acts 20.
Origin & meaning
Timothy was a young disciple and co-worker of Paul, who accompanied him on his missionary journeys and later served as a pastor.
The biblical story
Timothy was a young disciple and close companion of the Apostle Paul. He is mentioned frequently in the New Testament, both in the book of Acts and in Paul's epistles. Timothy was from Lystra, the son of a Greek father and a Jewish mother named Eunice (Act.16.1). He was well-respected by the believers in his hometown and in Iconium (Act.16.2). Paul invited Timothy to join him on his missionary journeys, and he became a valuable assistant and co-worker (Act.16.3; 17.14-15; 18.5; 19.22; 20.4). Paul referred to Timothy as his "true son in the faith" (1Ti.1.2) and sent him on important missions to churches in Macedonia, Achaia, and Ephesus (Act.19.22; 1Co.4.17; 16.10; Php.2.19). Timothy was with Paul during his first Roman imprisonment and is named as a co-sender of several of Paul's letters (Php.1.1; Col.1.1; Phm.1.1). Paul also wrote two personal letters to Timothy, providing guidance and encouragement for his pastoral ministry (1Ti.1.2; 2Ti.1.2). These letters, along with the letter to Titus, are known as the Pastoral Epistles. According to Heb.13.23, Timothy was imprisoned at some point but later released. Tradition holds that Timothy served as the bishop of Ephesus in his later years. Timothy's life and ministry exemplify the importance of mentoring, discipleship, and faithful service in the early church.
Key verses
Timothy appears in 28 verses. Here are some of the most notable:
-
Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:
Acts 16:1 -
And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to go as it were to the sea: but Silas and Timotheus abode there still.
Acts 17:14 -
And they that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timotheus for to come to him with all speed, they departed.
Acts 17:15 -
And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.
Acts 18:5 -
So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a season.
Acts 19:22
Show all 28 references
Acts (6)
- Acts 16:1
- Acts 17:14
- Acts 17:15
- Acts 18:5
- Acts 19:22
- Acts 20:4
Romans (1)
- Romans 16:21
1 Corinthians (3)
- 1 Corinthians 4:17
- 1 Corinthians 16:10
- 1 Corinthians 16:24
2 Corinthians (2)
- 2 Corinthians 1:1
- 2 Corinthians 1:19
Philippians (2)
- Philippians 1:1
- Philippians 2:19
Colossians (1)
- Colossians 1:1
1 Thessalonians (3)
- 1 Thessalonians 1:1
- 1 Thessalonians 3:2
- 1 Thessalonians 3:6
2 Thessalonians (1)
- 2 Thessalonians 1:1
1 Timothy (4)
- 1 Timothy 1:2
- 1 Timothy 1:18
- 1 Timothy 6:20
- 1 Timothy 6:21
2 Timothy (2)
- 2 Timothy 1:2
- 2 Timothy 4:22
Philemon (1)
- Philemon 1:1
Hebrews (2)
- Hebrews 13:23
- Hebrews 13:25
Name variants & nicknames
- Tim — nickname
- Timmy — nickname
- Timoteo — Spanish
- Timóteo — Portuguese
- Timotheus — Greek form (KJV)