Theophilus Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Theophilus is a Greek name meaning 'friend of God,' derived from 'theos' and 'philos.' It has evolved through various languages and has historical significance in early Christianity, particularly as the name of individuals in the Bible. While it is not widely used today, it embodies traits of wisdom and religious devotion.
The name Theophilus is most popular in California, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Alpha generation in the West region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Theophilus 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, 'Theophilus' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1638th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 2076th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 1782nd out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 2314th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 3514th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 4112th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 2669th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Theophilus' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Theophilus"
Pronunciation
/θiˈɒfɪləs/
Origin
Greek
Etymology
The name Theophilus is derived from the Greek words 'theos,' meaning 'God,' and 'philos,' meaning 'friend' or 'lover.' Therefore, it can be interpreted as 'friend of God' or 'lover of God.'
Meaning
friend of God
Language Evolution
Theophilus (Greek), Theophilus (Latin), Teofil (Old Slavic), Teofilo (Italian, Spanish)
Biblical Background
Theophilus is mentioned in the New Testament, specifically as the addressee of the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, which suggests a significant connection to early Christianity.
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in the early Christian era, particularly during the first few centuries AD, as it was used by several saints and bishops.
Variants & Derivatives
Teofilo, Teofil, Theophilos, Theo
Modern Popularity & Image
Theophilus is not a common name in contemporary society, but it carries a sense of historical and religious significance, often associated with wisdom and piety.
Famous People
Theophilus of Antioch, an early Christian apologist, Theophilus of Alexandria, a prominent bishop, Theophilus the Great, a noted Byzantine scholar
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Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Theophilus"
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 of "Theophilus"
"Theophilus" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1638th of 7545 | 340 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 2076th of 6773 | 232 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 1782nd of 7552 | 366 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 2314th of 10718 | 273 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 3514th of 16616 | 243 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 4112th of 24088 | 345 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 2669th of 23106 | 573 |
Regional Popularity of "Theophilus" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- |
86.58% 1194th/1379 |
84.53% 2000th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
63.27% 1409th/2227 |
- | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - |
64.38% 2265th/3518 |
- |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
64.56% 2379th/3685 |
- |
67.60% 3511th/5194 |
60.06% 3794th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
71.85% 3292nd/4582 |
- |
65.06% 4758th/7313 |
52.71% 3934th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- |
83.98% 3768th/4487 |
52.27% 3566th/6822 |
40.52% 2543rd/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Theophilus" by Generation for 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 of "Theophilus"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Theophilus" 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.