Timotha

Timotha is a feminine form of Timothy used primarily in English-speaking contexts. The name derives from the Greek Timotheos, meaning "honouring God," composed of timao ("to honour") and theos ("god"). This feminine variant likely emerged to provide a female equivalent to the traditionally masculine Timothy, similar to other feminizations like Timothea in Greek.

Etymology and Origin

The root name Timothy appears in the New Testament as the name of a companion of Paul, who was the recipient of two Pauline epistles. According to tradition, Timothy was martyred in Ephesus for opposing the worship of Artemis. The English name Timothy was not adopted until after the Protestant Reformation, when biblical names became more widespread. The feminine form Timotha likely arose much later, as a creative or family-driven variant of Timothy, possibly to honor a father or male relative named Timothy.

Notable Bearer

One known bearer is Timotha Lanae (pronounced tə-MOTH-ə lə-NAY), an American singer-songwriter, playwright, and actress from Minneapolis, Minnesota. She is known for her multi-octave vocal range and for topping UK Soul Charts with her debut album Red and EP Rewind. Her music blends soul, R&B, funk, jazz, and hip hop, with influences including Marvin Gaye and Sade. Lanae's parents named her Timotha after her father Timothy, illustrating a modern practice of feminizing a paternal name.

• Meaning: Feminine form of Timothy, "honouring God"
• Origin: English variant of Greek biblical name
• Type: Feminine given name
• Usage Regions: English-speaking countries, especially United States