The name Timmy is a diminutive form of the name Timothy, which has its roots in the Greek language. The name Timothy is derived from the Greek words "timos" meaning "honor" and "timao" meaning "to honor". It is believed that the name Timothy originated around the 1st century AD, during the time of the early Christian Church.

The earliest recorded instance of the name Timothy can be found in the New Testament of the Bible, where it refers to one of the apostle Paul's companions and disciples. Timothy was a young man from Lystra, a city in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey), who accompanied Paul on his missionary journeys and played a significant role in the spread of Christianity.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Timothy or its diminutive form, Timmy. One of the most famous was Saint Timothy, the first bishop of Ephesus, who lived in the 1st century AD and was martyred for his Christian faith.

In the 4th century, Timothy of Gaza was a renowned Christian scholar and bishop who made significant contributions to the study of the Bible and the defense of Christian doctrine. During the Middle Ages, Timothy I was the Patriarch of Constantinople from 511 to 518 AD, and played a crucial role in the theological debates of his time.

In more recent history, Timothy Leary (1920-1996) was an American psychologist and writer who advocated the use of psychedelic drugs and became a prominent figure in the counterculture movement of the 1960s. Timothy McVeigh (1968-2001) was an American domestic terrorist responsible for the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995, one of the deadliest acts of terrorism in United States history.

While the name Timothy has a rich historical legacy, its diminutive form, Timmy, emerged as a popular name in the 20th century, particularly in English-speaking countries. Some notable individuals named Timmy include Timmy Mallett, an English TV presenter and comedian, and Timmy Thompson, an American child actor best known for his role in the popular television series "Lassie".