A 1960s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Tim since 1880
Babies named Tim per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 139 |
| 1890s | 132 |
| 1900s | 191 |
| 1910s | 453 |
| 1920s | 607 |
| 1930s | 1,377 |
| 1940s | 8,002 |
| 1950s | 22,202 |
| 1960s | 41,572 |
| 1970s | 5,305 |
| 1980s | 1,131 |
| 1990s | 660 |
| 2000s | 777 |
| 2010s | 576 |
| 2020s | 234 |
Meaning & origin
Tim, a classic short form of Timothy, has been in use since at least 1880, the earliest year of Social Security data. Its peak popularity came in 1960, when it ranked highly among American baby names. After a period of decline, the name has been rising again since 2021, suggesting a revival of interest in traditional nicknames. Tim remains a straightforward, friendly choice, especially favored in Florida and California in recent years.
Tim is a diminutive of Timothy, derived from the Greek name Timotheos, composed of timē meaning 'honor' and theos meaning 'God'. Timothy appears in the New Testament as a companion of Paul, and the name was used in English-speaking countries from the 16th century onward. Tim became a common standalone name in the 20th century, particularly in the United States.
Where Tim is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Tim” around the world
Where Tim lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
190
babies in 2024
Ireland
3
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Timmy, T
Variants: Timmy
Sibling names for Tim
Names that share Tim's style, for a brother or sister.
