Thomas: Name Meaning, Origin, & Popularity

Boy name origins & meanings

What does Thomas mean and stand for?

Meaning:

Aramaic: Twin
Greek: Twin

Gender: Male

Syllables: 2

Pronunciation: The name Thomas is pronounced tah-mus

The name Thomas has Biblical origins, deriving from the Aramaic word "t'oma," which means twin, as well as the Greek. It became popular due to Saint Thomas, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. Over centuries, it has been widely adopted in various cultures and remains a common and enduring name today.

Boy name variations

Family name origins & meanings

English, French, German, Dutch, Danish, and South Indian: from the Medieval personal name, of Biblical origin, from Aramaic t’ōm’a, a byname meaning "twin." It was borne by one of the disciples of Christ, best known for his skepticism about Christ’s resurrection (John 20:24–29). The th- spelling is organic, the initial letter of the name in the Greek New Testament being a theta. The English pronunciation as t rather than th- is the result of French influence from an early date. In Britain the surname is widely distributed throughout the country, but especially common in Wales and Cornwall. The Ukrainian form is Choma.

Famous people with this last name

Richard Thomas

Rob Thomas

Famous people who gave their babies this name

Dana Carvey

Jack Black

Jamie Lee Curtis

Thomas in Pop Culture

Do you know these fictional characters that share this first name?

Thomas Shelby from Peaky Blinders - The ambitious and ruthless leader of the Shelby family and their crime syndicate.
Thomas Anderson from The Matrix - Also known as Neo, he is the hacker who discovers the truth about reality and becomes the savior of humanity.
Thomas Barrow from Downton Abbey - A cunning butler with a complicated past and evolving character throughout the series.
Thomas O'Malley from The Aristocats - The charming and streetwise alley cat who helps Duchess and her kittens.
Thomas Magnum from Magnum, P.I. - A private investigator living in Hawaii who solves mysteries while living a luxurious lifestyle.

Popularity of the Name Thomas

According to Social Security Administration data, the name Thomas has remained a strong and enduring choice for boys throughout the years, consistently ranking within the top 100 names in the US for over a century. Its peak popularity was during the 1950s and 1960s when it ranked among the top 10 names for boys. The name Thomas is of Aramaic origin meaning "twin," and has been borne by many significant historical figures, contributing to its classic and timeless appeal. The nameThomas was first reported to be used by Jesus when he nicknamed an apostle Thomas, since there were too many named Judas.

Notable individuals named Thomas include Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States and principal author of the Declaration of Independence; inventor Thomas Edison, whose innovations have had a profound impact on modern life; and Thomas Aquinas, the influential medieval philosopher and theologian. In the realm of literature, Thomas Hardy and Thomas Pynchon are distinguished writers who have left a significant mark on English literature. Other notable Thomases include Jefferson, Edison, Pynchon, Hanks, and Cruise, as well as Thomas the Tank.

In fiction, Thomas has been a popular choice for characters, illustrating its versatility and universal appeal. Thomas the Tank Engine from the beloved children's book series Thomas & Friends, Thomas Barrow from the acclaimed television series Downton Abbey, and Thomas Shelby from the hit series Peaky Blinders are just a few examples of characters that have brought this name to life in various media.