Theotimos

Theotimos is the original Greek form of the name Theotimus. Deriving from the elements theos (θεός), meaning “god,” and timao (τιμάω), meaning “to honour,” the name signifies “honouring god.” The Latinized equivalent, Theotimus, became more common in Western contexts.

Etymology and Religious Context

The name Theotimos is rooted in early Christian piety, reflecting the ideal of reverence toward God. A Saint Theotimus, a 4th-century bishop of Tomi in Scythia (present-day Constanța, Romania), is the most notable bearer. He was known for his missionary work among the Goths and is commemorated in Eastern Orthodox and Catholic traditions.

Notable Bearers

Beyond the bishop, the name appears in classical antiquity. An Eleian boxer named Theotimos had a statue at Olympia; his father, Moschion, accompanied Alexander the Great on his Asian campaign. Another Theotimos was a bishop of Crotone in Italy (fl. 790), and an Arabian bishop named Theotimos signed the assent to the Nicene Creed. The name also gained post-classical fame as the title of an influential treatise by Francis de Sales (17th century), dedicated to the love of God and mystical prayer.

Usage and Variants

Theotimos is functionally extinct as a given name but survives in religious and historical contexts. Its French variant is Théotime, which saw some revival in the 19th–20th centuries. The core meaning of Theotimos resonates with names like Timothy (“honouring God”) and the broader theophoric naming tradition in Greek and Christian onomastics.

• Meaning: honouring God
• Origin: Ancient Greek
• Type: Given name (historical/religious)
• Main usage regions: Ancient Greece, Early Christian world, France (as Théotime)