Timofey is of Russian origin, derived from the Greek word 'Timotheos', which means 'honoring God'. It is a variant of Timothy and was brought to Russia through Byzantine influence. The name gained popularity in Russia during the Middle Ages and has since been used consistently throughout history. Timofey is composed of two elements: 'tim' meaning 'honor' and '-fay' which is a form of the Greek suffix '-phaios'. The name is often associated with Saint Timothy, a companion of Paul the Apostle in the New Testament.
The name Timofey experienced significant popularity growth over time, with a substantial spike in usage starting from the year 2008 onwards. Between 2008 and 2017, there were consistently high numbers of babies named Timofey, peaking at 31 births both in 2015 and again in 2017. After 2017, the popularity of the name has somewhat decreased but remains relatively stable, with around 15 to 22 births per year between 2020 and 2023. In total, 473 babies were named Timofey during these years.