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Home › Baby Names Directory › Theophile

Theophile

♂ Boy

How to Pronounce Theophile

Pronounced TAY-oh-feel /ˈteɪ.oʊ.fiːl/Medium

Meaning: Theophile is the French form of Theophilus, from the Greek 'theos' (god) and 'philos' (loved, friend), giving 'friend of God' or 'loved by God.' Borne by early Christians and a New Testament dedicatee, it reached American records mainly through French-speaking families.Low

In 30 seconds: Theophile is the French form of Theophilus, 'friend of God' in Greek. It stayed rare and peaked around the late 1920s (said TAY-oh-feel).
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Origin MediumGreek, French
MeaningTheophile is the French form of Theophilus, from the Greek 'theos' (god) and 'philos' (loved, friend), giving 'friend of God' or 'loved by God.' Borne by early Christians and a New Testament dedicatee, it reached American records mainly through French-speaking families.
U.S. rank (2020)#13847 ↘ Falling
2020 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1928
Total births (all-time)≈ 221

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 192818802020

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Theophile is the French form of the ancient Greek Theophilus, 'friend of God' or 'loved by God,' from 'theos' and 'philos.' Honored among early Christians and named in the New Testament, it passed into French use and reached America chiefly through French and Creole families. It stayed a distinctly heritage name here.

It was never common in the United States, given to only about fifteen boys a year at its high in the late nineteen-twenties. A man named Theophile then would belong to a great-grandparent's generation now.

Did you know? The Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts are both addressed to a Theophilus, so the name has carried its 'friend of God' meaning since the earliest Christian writings.
Overall data confidence 50%
References - Theophile — French form of Theophilus; Greek 'friend of God'; heritage name

Variations

TheophilusTeofilTeofilo

Nicknames

TheoPhil

Famous Bearers

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If you like Theophile…

Theophilus— the Greek parent form of this name
Theodore— a like Theo- name of divine meaning
Teofilo— the Spanish and Italian form
Emile— a similar classic French boy's name

Explore names like Theophile

By themeraregreekclassicfrench

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Theophile mean?

It is the French form of Theophilus, from Greek for 'friend of God' or 'loved by God.'

How do you pronounce Theophile?

It is said TAY-oh-feel /ˈteɪ.oʊ.fiːl/ - three syllables, stress on the first.

Is Theophile a boy or girl name?

Theophile is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Theophile?

It was always rare in the United States, given to only about fifteen boys a year at its peak in the late nineteen-twenties.

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