Theophilos is the Ancient Greek form of Theophilus, a name meaning "friend of god" or "love of God", derived from the Greek elements theos ("god") and philos ("friend" or "beloved").
Etymology
The name Theophilos is a theophoric name, functioning as a direct Greek equivalent to the Latin Amadeus, German Gottlieb, and Slavic Bogomil or Bogumił. It reflects a common pattern in ancient Greek naming of combining a divine element with a term denoting affection or companionship.
Notable Bearers in Antiquity and Byzantium
Theophilos was the name of several historical figures. The most prominent is Theophilos (emperor) (c. 812–842), a Byzantine emperor of the Phrygian dynasty who reigned from 829 to 842. Other ancient bearers include Theophilus (Indo-Greek) (fl. circa 130–90 BC), a king; Theophilus the jurist (fl. 533), who contributed to Justinian's Institutes; and Theophilus of Edessa (695–785), a medieval astrologer and scholar.
Biblical Context
The Latinized form, Theophilus, appears in the New Testament: the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts both begin with an address to a certain Theophilus (Luke 1:3; Acts 1:1). Although this figure's identity remains uncertain (he may have been a patron or a real individual), the name's biblical usage contributed to its spread across the Christian world.
Related Forms
Theophilos has feminine counterparts: Theophila and Theophile. It is also ancestral to many cognates: Biblical Theophilus, Dutch Theo and Theofilus, French Théophile, German Theophil, and modern Greek Theofilos.
- Meaning: "friend of god" or "love of God"
- Origin: Ancient Greek
- Type: Given name
- Usage Regions: Ancient Greece, Byzantine Empire, Christianity
Sources: Wikipedia — Theophilus