A 1900s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Theophilus since 1882
Babies named Theophilus per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2022, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Theophilus's real moment was 1901.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 20 |
| 1890s | 0 |
| 1900s | 25 |
| 1910s | 156 |
| 1920s | 191 |
| 1930s | 135 |
| 1940s | 152 |
| 1950s | 214 |
| 1960s | 146 |
| 1970s | 175 |
| 1980s | 157 |
| 1990s | 173 |
| 2000s | 204 |
| 2010s | 360 |
| 2020s | 340 |
Meaning & origin
Theophilus is a Greek name meaning friend of God, known from its appearance in the New Testament. The name was first recorded in U.S. Social Security data in 1882, ranking 2,390th as of 2025 with a 1-in-29,966 birth rate for boys. Its peak year was 1901, and after a long decline it has been rising again since 1994, experiencing a revival in the 1900s decade. The top state for Theophilus in recent years is Washington (WA). This trajectory suggests that while still uncommon, the name is regaining slow appeal among parents drawn to classic biblical names.
Theophilus is a Greek name derived from theos (god) and philos (friend or beloved). It appears in the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles as the addressee of those books. The name was common among early Christians but fell out of widespread use after the Middle Ages. It saw a modest revival in the 19th century, particularly in England and America.
Where Theophilus is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Theo
Variants: Theophilos
Sibling names for Theophilus
Names that share Theophilus's style, for a brother or sister.
