Theophilus
/TH-IY-AA-F-IH-L-AH-S/
From the ancient Greek Theophilos, a compound of theos ('god') and philos ('beloved, dear, friend'), meaning 'beloved of God,' 'friend of God,' or 'one who loves God.' The name appears at the opening of both the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, each dedicated 'to Theophilus' — whether a specific patron or an ideal reader ('you who love God') has been debated by scholars for centuries. It was widely used in early Christianity and among Greek-speaking Jews.
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How well does Theophilus fit your family?
This page tells you what Theophilus means. The app tells you whether it's right for your baby — scored against your family & your heritage, and your baby's birth details.
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Meaning & origin
Yes — Theophilus is a Christian boy name of Greek origin, meaning “From the ancient Greek Theophilos, a compound of theos ('god') and philos ('beloved, dear, friend'), meaning 'beloved of God,' 'friend of God,' or 'one who loves God.' The name appears at the opening of both the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, each dedicated 'to Theophilus' — whether a specific patron or an ideal reader ('you who love God') has been debated by scholars for centuries. It was widely used in early Christianity and among Greek-speaking Jews.”.
Theophilus is a boy's name of Greek origin, traditionally used in Christian families. The name means "From the ancient Greek Theophilos, a compound of theos ('god') and philos ('beloved, dear, friend'), meaning 'beloved of God,' 'friend of God,' or 'one who loves God.' The name appears at the opening of both the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, each dedicated 'to Theophilus' — whether a specific patron or an ideal reader ('you who love God') has been debated by scholars for centuries. It was widely used in early Christianity and among Greek-speaking Jews." and belongs to the Wisdom cluster — names meaning knowledge, insight, and thoughtful presence.
Common among European, Greek families, Theophilus carries cultural weight that goes beyond its dictionary definition — it's a name with a story and a community.
The patron saint & feast day behind Theophilus
Many Christian names carry a patron saint and a feast day (name day) — a tradition of choosing a name for the saint a child is born near, or one the family holds dear. Theophilus lives in this tradition of meaning and heritage.
NameRoot connects the dots. See Theophilus's patron saint, its feast day, and whether it aligns with your baby's birth — alongside its full family score.
See Theophilus's saint & feast day →What does Theophilus's numerology say?
Numerology assigns each name a single-digit destiny number by summing its letter values. Different schools use different mappings — NameRoot computes both so you can see how Theophilus resonates in either tradition.
Theophilus's destiny number is 7 — but a number only matters in context. The app matches it to your family's own numbers for a real compatibility read. See Theophilus's full reading →
Does Theophilus go with your family's names?
Theophilus breaks into 8 sounds: /TH-IY-AA-F-IH-L-AH-S/. The real test isn't how it sounds alone — it's how it sounds beside the names already in your family: yours, your partner's, and any brothers or sisters. NameRoot scores that harmony, so Theophilus sits naturally next to a Mum and Dad like Michael & Anna, or a big sister named Gianna — no awkward clashes, no two names that blur together. Hear Theophilus beside your family's names →
Nicknames
Common affectionate forms of Theophilus — useful for everyday family conversation, early childhood, or as standalone given names themselves.
Names similar to Theophilus
If Theophilus resonates with you, these names live in the same world — drawn from the same tradition, sharing the same meaning, or echoing a similar sound.
From the same tradition
Other Christian boy names, common in European families
Sharing the same meaning
Other Christian boy names from the Wisdom cluster
Names that sound similar
Christian boy names that open with the same syllables as Theophilus
Explore more names
Keep exploring names like Theophilus — by tradition, by meaning, or by first letter.
Common questions about Theophilus
What does the name Theophilus mean?
Theophilus means "From the ancient Greek Theophilos, a compound of theos ('god') and philos ('beloved, dear, friend'), meaning 'beloved of God,' 'friend of God,' or 'one who loves God.' The name appears at the opening of both the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, each dedicated 'to Theophilus' — whether a specific patron or an ideal reader ('you who love God') has been debated by scholars for centuries. It was widely used in early Christianity and among Greek-speaking Jews.." It is a boy name of Greek origin, traditionally used in Christian families.
Is Theophilus a boy or girl name?
Theophilus is most commonly used as a boy name.
What is the origin of the name Theophilus?
Theophilus is of Greek origin, used in Christian tradition, commonly among European, Greek families.
Is Theophilus a Christian name?
Yes. Theophilus is a boy name traditionally used in Christian families, of Greek origin.
What does Theophilus mean in Greek?
Theophilus originates from Greek, where it means "From the ancient Greek Theophilos, a compound of theos ('god') and philos ('beloved, dear, friend'), meaning 'beloved of God,' 'friend of God,' or 'one who loves God.' The name appears at the opening of both the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, each dedicated 'to Theophilus' — whether a specific patron or an ideal reader ('you who love God') has been debated by scholars for centuries. It was widely used in early Christianity and among Greek-speaking Jews.."
What are common nicknames for Theophilus?
Common short forms of Theophilus include Theo, Theop.
What is the numerology of Theophilus?
Theophilus has a Pythagorean destiny number of 7 — introspection and spiritual wisdom.
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