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Theophilus

♂ Boy

Pronounced thee-OFF-ih-lus /θiˈɒf.ɪ.ləs/High

Meaning: lover of GodHigh

In 30 seconds: Theophilus is a Greek name meaning lover of God. A grand four-syllable name of ancient Christian heritage, borne by the addressee of Luke's Gospel and Acts.
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Origin HighGreek
Meaninglover of God
U.S. rank (2024)#2225 ↗ Rising
2024 U.S. births65 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2022
Total births (all-time)≈ 2,392

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202218822024

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

History & Origin

Theophilus derives from Greek theos (God) + philos (friend, lover), meaning lover of God. Luke dedicated both his Gospel and Acts to Theophilus.

Theophilus was used in early Christian communities and throughout the medieval period. It is experiencing a revival as parents seek grand classical names.

Did you know? The Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts are both addressed to Theophilus — making this name literally the recipient of two of the most important texts in Christian history.
Overall data confidence 95%
Behind the Name: Theophilus — name etymology referenceUS Social Security Name Database — U.S. popularity data

Variations

TheoTheophile

Nicknames

TheoPhil

Famous Bearers

  • ★Theophilus (biblical)
    The named addressee of the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts in the New Testament.

If you like Theophilus…

Sebastian— similar grand four-syllable classical name
Cornelius— similar grand classical masculine name
Thaddeus— similar Greek four-syllable biblical name
Bartholomew— similar grand biblical masculine name
Augustine— similar classical four-syllable name

Frequently Asked

What does Theophilus mean?

Theophilus means lover of God.

How do you pronounce Theophilus?

Theophilus is pronounced thee-OFF-ih-lus (/θiˈɒf.ɪ.ləs/), with 4 syllables.

Is Theophilus a boy's name?

Yes, Theophilus is used as a boy's name.

How popular is the name Theophilus?

Greek meaning firmly established; theo + philos etymology unambiguous.