Boy Name
Tim
Tim is a boy's name whose meaning is not firmly attested in the historical record. It is used as a boy's name across several naming traditions, and in 2026 it sits in the Top 1000 of US baby names.
Pick up any 2026 baby-name shortlist and Tim is almost certainly on it. Linguistically, Tim carries the meaning "Honoring God", a definition that's reflective without being heavy. Tim's Greek origins mean it carries pronunciation and feel from a deep historical well, not from a recent invention. Our reviewers flagged Tim as a strong "first introduction" name: it teaches and reads cleanly in print, on a name tag, and over the phone.
Popularity-wise, Tim lives in the top 1,000 on the latest SSA charts — distinctive but not obscure. Recent SSA reporting shows usage holding firm rather than chasing a trend, a pattern parents looking for longevity tend to value highly. Stylistically it reads clean and unfussy, equally workable in a board meeting or a kindergarten roll call. Other names that frequently appear on the same shortlists include Timmy, Timm, Tino; we cover all of them, plus middle-name pairings, further down.
Tim meaning, origin, and usage
Meaning: Tim has a distinctive sound and evolving modern usage.
Origin: Multiple naming traditions are associated with this name.
Pronunciation: Baby Name Studio pronounces Tim as T·I·M, with 3 letters and a boy usage profile.
Popularity: According to Baby Name Studio's 2026 tracker, Tim is distinctive but not obscure in the Top 1000 tier.
Tim variants, nicknames, middle names, and sibling names
- Variants and spelling ideas: Tima, Time, Timy.
- Nicknames: Tim works as its own nickname.
- Middle names: Pair Tim with a middle name that balances its short sound; start with the Tim middle name generator.
- Sibling names: Timmy, Timm, Tino, Tina, Tom — full picks on the sibling names for Tim guide for a cohesive sibset.
- Similar names: Looking for names that sound like Tim? Browse our names like Tim guide for phonetic-neighbor picks.
- Explore more: use the Baby Name Explorer, name search, AI name generator, and Baby Name Studio homepage.
Compare Tim side by side
Head-to-head breakdowns of meaning, popularity, pronunciation, and sibling fit.
Frequently asked about Tim
What does the name Tim mean?
Tim has no single meaning that is firmly attested in the historical record. It is used as a boy name in US birth records, and parents usually choose it for its sound rather than a documented meaning.
What is the origin of Tim?
The exact origin of Tim is debated, but it has been used across multiple naming traditions.
How do you pronounce Tim?
Tim has 3 letters and is most commonly stressed on the first syllable.
Is Tim a boy's or girl's name?
Tim is primarily used as a boy's name in US records.
How popular is Tim in 2026?
In our 2026 popularity tracker, Tim sits in the Top 1000 tier — distinctive but not obscure.
What names are similar to Tim?
Names that share Tim's sound and style include Timmy, Timm, Tino, Tina, Tom.
What middle names pair well with Tim?
Good middle-name fits for Tim pair an opposite syllable rhythm: if Tim is short, lean longer (e.g. classical or three-syllable middles); if Tim is longer, a one-syllable middle keeps the full name from feeling heavy.
What are good sibling names for Tim?
Sibling names that pair naturally with Tim share its rhythm without rhyming — Timmy, Timm, Tino all sit comfortably alongside it on a shortlist.