Find out how popular the first name Theophilus has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Theophilus by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Theophilus is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 63 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Theophilus.

The history of the first name Theophilus

The name Theophilus has its origins in Greek, deriving from the combination of the words "theos" meaning "god" and "philos" meaning "lover" or "friend." Together, Theophilus translates to "friend of God" or "beloved of God." The name first appeared during the Hellenistic period, which spanned from the 4th to the 1st century BC.

Theophilus holds significance in various religious and historical contexts. In the New Testament of the Bible, the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles are addressed to a person named Theophilus, though his identity remains uncertain. It is believed that he may have been a prominent Roman official or a wealthy patron who sponsored Luke's writings.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Theophilus can be found in the writings of the Roman historian Tacitus, who mentioned a man named Theophilus of Antioch in his work "Annals." This Theophilus lived in the 2nd century AD and was known for his writings defending Christianity against pagan critics.

Another notable figure named Theophilus was Theophilus of Alexandria, a patriarch of the Coptic Orthodox Church who lived from around 345 to 412 AD. He is remembered for his involvement in the controversy surrounding the teachings of Origen and for his role in the expulsion of St. John Chrysostom from Constantinople.

In the 6th century, there was a Byzantine historian named Theophilus of Byzantium, who wrote a work called "Chronographia," which chronicled events from the creation of the world to the reign of the Byzantine Emperor Maurice.

During the Renaissance period, Theophilus was the name of a renowned German monk and artist who lived in the late 11th or early 12th century. He wrote a treatise on the arts and crafts of his time, titled "De Diversis Artibus" or "On Divers Arts," which provided valuable insights into the techniques and materials used by medieval artists.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals who bore the name Theophilus throughout history, highlighting its enduring presence across different cultures and time periods.

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 Theophilus was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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