Is Tim a boy's or girl's name?

Tim is primarily a boy's name. It is also used as a girl's name, with 188 recorded births.

When was Tim most popular?

Tim reached its peak popularity in 1960 with 6,931 births that year. It is currently ranked #2514 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Tim?

Tim is currently ranked #2514 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 83,327 babies since 1880.

Tim

An uncommon pick — distinctive and rare.

Boy's name| Also girlsRising fast Also a pet name

#2514▲ 768in 2024

Meaning & Origin

A diminutive of the male given names Timothy or Timon .

Tim is a boy's and girl's baby name of Greek origin, a short form of Timothy, from the Greek Timotheos, meaning 'honoring God' or 'honored by God.' Used as a standalone name, it carries an approachable, no-fuss confidence.

Tim was especially popular in the United States from the 1950s through the 1970s. From Tim Burton to Tim Cook, bearers of this name tend to quietly reshape whatever fields they enter — it is deceptively understated.

Compare Tim with another name

Popularity Over Time

Tim was #2019 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #2514, but its charm endures.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Tim
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	197	#3170	▼
2010s	576	#2347	▼
2000s	777	#1733	▲
1990s	660	#1515	▼
1980s	1,132	#894	▼
1970s	5,304	#405	▼
1960s	41,580	#99	▲
1950s	22,200	#189	▲
1940s	8,002	#224	▲
1930s	1,377	#548	▲
1920s	607	#881	▲
1910s	453	#782	▲
1900s	191	#574	▲
1890s	132	#616	—
1880s	139	#525	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(145 years, 1880–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Tim
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	54	#2514	+17 (45.9%)
2023	37	#3282	+5 (15.6%)
2022	32	#3604	-10 (-23.8%)
2021	42	#2968	+10 (31.3%)
2020	32	#3482	-25 (-43.9%)
2019	57	#2389	0
2018	57	#2352	+4 (7.5%)
2017	53	#2444	-15 (-22.1%)
2016	68	#2083	+7 (11.5%)
2015	61	#2228	-14 (-18.7%)
2014	75	#1942	+24 (47.1%)
2013	51	#2455	+10 (24.4%)
2012	41	#2901	-7 (-14.6%)
2011	48	#2585	-17 (-26.2%)
2010	65	#2094	-4 (-5.8%)
2009	69	#2031	-1 (-1.4%)
2008	70	#2026	-7 (-9.1%)
2007	77	#1873	-1 (-1.3%)
2006	78	#1786	-6 (-7.1%)
2005	84	#1633	+24 (40.0%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Tim as a Girl's Name

While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Tim has also been given to 188 girls in the U.S. since 1949.

Unranked

Current rank

188

Total births

1970

Peak year

Compare Tim as boy vs girl

Frequently Asked

Can Tim be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Tim is used for both boys and girls. As a boy's name, it currently ranks #2514. As a girl's name, it is not currently in the top rankings.

Tim has two lives

Tim, the baby name

#2514boys

83,327 babies

Currently viewing

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1880–2024) · Methodology

Tim