Find out how popular the first name Theophil has been for the last 1 years (from 2023 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Theophil by gender

Based on the last 1 years of data, Theophil is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Theophil.

The history of the first name Theophil

The name Theophil has its origins in the Greek language, derived from the words "theos" meaning "god" and "philos" meaning "beloved" or "friend." It can be interpreted as "friend of God" or "beloved of God." This combination of Greek words points to the name's potential religious or spiritual connotations.

Theophil was used in ancient Greek and Roman cultures, with some of the earliest recorded instances appearing in historical texts and writings from the Byzantine Empire. The name was likely adopted by early Christians, reflecting their devotion to the divine.

One of the earliest notable figures with the name Theophil was Theophilus, the sixth bishop of Antioch, who lived in the late 2nd century AD. He was known for his writings on Christian theology and defending the faith against heresies.

In the 9th century, a Byzantine scholar and writer named Theophilus the Confessor gained recognition for his works on iconoclasm and the veneration of religious images. He was also known for his unwavering devotion to the Orthodox faith.

During the Renaissance, Theophil Folengo, an Italian monk and writer born in 1491, made a name for himself through his satirical works and experimental literary styles, including the use of macaronic language.

In the 17th century, Theophil Stein, a German composer and organist born in 1664, contributed to the development of the Baroque music tradition, particularly in the field of organ compositions.

Another notable figure with the name Theophil was Theophil Hansen, an Austrian architect born in 1813, who was renowned for his Neo-Renaissance and Neo-Baroque designs, including the Austrian Parliament Building in Vienna.

While the name Theophil has its roots in ancient Greek and Christian traditions, it has been used across various cultures and time periods, often reflecting a connection to religious or spiritual themes.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Theophil was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Theophil, please contact us.

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!