Timea

Hungarian, Greek, "good spirits; honor"

A name with a plenty of history, Timea feels as sunny as it does strong. Typically pronounced as tee-MAY-uh or as TEE-meh-aw, it’s currently familiar in Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, and Czechia.

While the exact origins of Timea are contested (or perhaps simply manifold), its contemporary usage is owed to the Hungarian writer, Mór Jókai, who introduced (or perhaps invented) it for his 1872 novel, Az Arany Ember ("The Man with the Golden Touch"). Said to be inspired by the Greek Euthymia, another name for Euphrosyne — the goddess of joy — it could mean "good spirits" or "cheerful".

Alternatively, the name may have been adapted from the Greek Timaeus meaning "to honor", or from Timothea, giving it the more spiritual meaning of "honoring God". There’s also the possibility that Jókai was simply bringing a name back from antiquity, having drawn his inspiration from Timaea, Queen of Sparta.

Today’s feature was kindly suggested and informed by Nameberry Reader Nicole.