Theophilus

Meaning of Theophilus

Theophilus is a joyful mouthful of Greek and Latin charm—literally meaning “friend (or loved) of God,” the sweet echo of Amicus Dei ringing through history like cathedral bells at dawn. First whispered in the New Testament as the honored reader of Luke’s Gospel, it later crowned saints, scholars, and a few adventurous grandfathers, yet it still feels fresh thanks to breezy nicknames like Theo or Phil (perfect for playground shout-outs). Pronounced thee-AH-fuh-lus, the name rolls off the tongue with a warm lilt that hints at sun-splashed Mediterranean courtyards. In the U.S. it has never been common—hovering around the 800s in recent years—which means your little Theophilus will stand out without needing to spell his name every five minutes (well, maybe just the first week of kindergarten). Rich in spirit, friendly in sound, and quietly rare, Theophilus carries the gentle promise that its bearer will grow up knowing he is, quite literally, beloved.