Theophilus: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

Rank 2025

#2,417

among boys · ↓186 vs 2024

Babies in 2025

named Theophilus · -12% vs 2024

How common

1 in 29,966

boys born in 2025

Peak year

2022

68 babies

All-time total

2,448

#2,909 all-time among boys

First recorded

1882

in Social Security records

Theophilus popularity over time

2,448 babies have been named Theophilus since 1882, according to official Social Security records. Switch measure to see births per year or the yearly rank.

Measure

Births per 1,000 babies of that sex, comparable across eras

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade	Boys	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	20	2	–	#1,080
1890s	–	–	–	–
1900s	25	3	–	#1,048
1910s	156	16	+524%	#1,285
1920s	191	19	+22%	#1,379
1930s	135	14	-29%	#1,686
1940s	152	15	+13%	#1,484
1950s	214	21	+41%	#1,463
1960s	146	15	-32%	#1,850
1970s	175	18	+20%	#1,703
1980s	157	16	-10%	#2,328
1990s	173	17	+10%	#3,252
2000s	204	20	+18%	#3,434
2010s	360	36	+76%	#2,615
2020s (to 2025)	340	57	+57%	#2,166

Where Theophilus is heading

A five-year projection from the recent trend in births per 1,000 boys (damped so it flattens over time), converted to babies at today's birth totals. The implied rank places that projection in the 2025 field. A projection, not a promise: real trends bend.

Year	Projected babies	Per 1,000 boys	Implied rank
2026	60	0.04	outside top 500
2027	63	0.04	outside top 500
2028	66	0.04	outside top 500
2029	68	0.04	outside top 500
2030	70	0.04	outside top 500

The story of Theophilus

Theophilus is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #2,417 in 2025 with 57 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.

Since 1882, 2,448 American babies have been named Theophilus. Its peak came in 2022, when 68 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 2020s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Theophilus stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Theophilus?

The median living Theophilus is about 25 years old; half are between 8 and 51. An estimated 1,800 people named Theophilus are alive in the United States today.

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

Theophilus year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year	Boys	Boys rank
2025	57	#2,417
2024	65	#2,231
2023	63	#2,272
2022	68	#2,166
2021	44	#2,855
2020	43	#2,837
2019	42	#2,939
2018	49	#2,615
2017	40	#3,001
2016	48	#2,619
2015	34	#3,358
2014	39	#2,978
2013	38	#2,991
2012	36	#3,167
2011	18	#5,177
2010	16	#5,709
2009	17	#5,529
2008	19	#5,048
2007	26	#3,991
2006	17	#5,276
2005	24	#3,933
2004	17	#4,986
2003	27	#3,434
2002	20	#4,171
2001	16	#4,869
2000	21	#3,901
1995	10	#5,879
1990	17	#3,589
1985	13	#3,581
1980	16	#2,946
1975	22	#2,124
1970	11	#3,054
1965	18	#1,912
1960	16	#2,111
1955	24	#1,606
1950	22	#1,610
1945	13	#2,003
1940	10	#2,464
1935	8	#2,921
1930	18	#1,812
1925	17	#2,001
1920	21	#1,739
1915	20	#1,597
1910	7	#1,410
1905	–	–
1900	–	–
1895	–	–
1890	–	–
1885	5	#1,087
1880	–	–

Famous people named Theophilus

The most globally famous bearers of the name, ranked by fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

1 Theophilus of Antioch Patriarch of Antioch from c. 169 to c. 183 140–183 · Antiquity
2 Theophilus Presbyter German monk and writer (c. 1070–1125) Medieval

Portraits from Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons).

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Theophilus, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Theophilus?

The median living Theophilus is about 25 years old. Half of all living Theophiluss are between 8 and 51 years old.

How many people named Theophilus are alive today?

An estimated 1,800 people named Theophilus are alive in the United States, based on 2,448 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

What does the name Theophilus mean?

From Middle English Theophilus, from Latin Theophilus, from Ancient Greek Θεόφιλος (Theóphilos), meaning "love of God" or "friend of God".

How popular is the name Theophilus in 2025?

Theophilus ranked #2,417 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 57 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Theophilus?

2,448 babies have been named Theophilus in the United States since 1882, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Theophilus most popular?

Theophilus peaked in 2022, when 68 newborns received the name.

Is Theophilus a boy or girl name?

Theophilus is overwhelmingly a boy's name: 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Theophilus rising or falling?

Theophilus is on the rise, noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.

Will Theophilus become more popular?

Theophilus is trending upward. If the recent trend holds, we project roughly 70 boys named Theophilus in 2030, which would rank outside the top 500. Forecasts assume the current trend continues and become less certain further out.

Who are famous people named Theophilus?

Well-known people named Theophilus include Theophilus of Antioch (religious figure), Theophilus Presbyter (religious figure).

Names like Theophilus

Names that sound and feel close to Theophilus: shared sounds, similar era, similar popularity. Each links to its full history.

Compare Theophilus with similar names → More names starting with T →