"Twin"
Origin: Aramaic
Language: Aramaic
Thomas
Pronunciation: [ t-AHM-uhs ]
Does Thomas flow with your last name?
A timeless apostle name that never goes out of style
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Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"From the Aramaic 'Toma', meaning twin; borne by the Apostle Thomas"
Origin: Biblical
Language: Greek
"twin"
Origin: Aramaic
Language: English
"twin, double"
Origin: Greek
Language: Greek
Browse names with similar meanings:
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The Story of Thomas
Thomas comes from the Aramaic name Toma, meaning 'twin'. It entered the English-speaking world through the Greek Thomás and Latin Thomas, carried by the Apostle Thomas in the New Testament. The name's enduring legacy was cemented in medieval England when Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, was murdered in 1170 and became one of the most venerated saints of the Middle Ages.
Thomas has been a top-10 name in England and Wales for over 700 years, making it one of the most consistently popular names in the English-speaking world. It saw a modern resurgence partly through beloved characters like Thomas the Tank Engine, which has introduced the name to generations of children since the 1940s.
In Christian tradition, Thomas the Apostle is the patron saint of architects, builders, and India. The name carries particular prestige in England through figures like Thomas More and Thomas Hardy, representing intellectual and moral fortitude.
Historical Record
Thomas first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 1,497,604 babies have been named Thomas in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Thomas is past its peak , currently ranked #39 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Thomas has been a top-10 name in England for over 700 consecutive years
- The name Thomas the Tank Engine has kept the name beloved with children since 1946
- Saint Thomas the Apostle allegedly traveled to India to spread Christianity, making him a patron saint there
Thomas in Other Languages
Arabic
توما
French
Thomas
German
Thomas
Italian
Tommaso
Russian
Фома
Spanish
Tomás
Portuguese
Tomás
Popularity Over Time
#39
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1950
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Thomas
T
Tom Hanks
Actor
1956
Two-time Academy Award-winning American actor known for roles in Forrest Gump and Cast Away
T
Thomas Edison
Scientist
1847
American inventor who developed the phonograph, the motion picture camera, and a long-lasting electric light bulb
T
Thomas Jefferson
Politician
1743
Third President of the United States and principal author of the Declaration of Independence
T
Thomas the Tank Engine Fictional
Other
Beloved fictional blue steam engine from the Railway Series books and long-running children's TV show
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Compare Thomas with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #39
- Total SSA Count
- 6,576
- Cultural Origins
- English French German Spanish Irish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Popular in These States
Top states by rank · 2024
Common Nicknames
Tom
Tommy
Thom
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, Spanish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Thomas
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Thomas is also used as a girl name, ranked #71543.
View Thomas as a girl name →Similar Names
See all names like Thomas →Compare Thomas with...
Same Origin Names (English)
See all English names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Thomas
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Biblical Hebrew origin
"may God strengthen him"
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Old French origin
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Frequently Asked Questions About Thomas
What does the name Thomas mean?
"Twin" (from Aramaic). "From the Aramaic 'Toma', meaning twin; borne by the Apostle Thomas" (from Biblical). "twin" (from Aramaic). "twin, double" (from Greek). Thomas comes from the Aramaic name Toma, meaning 'twin'. It entered the English-speaking world through the Greek Thomás and Latin Thomas, carried by the Apostle Thomas in the New Testament. The name's enduring legacy was cemented in medieval England when Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, was murdered in 1170 and became one of the most venerated saints of the Middle Ages.
What is the origin of the name Thomas?
Thomas has Aramaic, Biblical, Greek, English, French, German, Spanish, and Irish origins. In Aramaic, it means "Twin". In Biblical, it means "From the Aramaic 'Toma', meaning twin; borne by the Apostle Thomas". In Aramaic, it means "twin". In Greek, it means "twin, double".
Is Thomas a boy or girl name?
Thomas is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #39. As a girl name, it is ranked #71543. Thomas is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Thomas?
Thomas is pronounced t-AHM-uhs.
How popular is the name Thomas?
Thomas is currently ranked #39 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Thomas?
Common nicknames for Thomas include Tom, Tommy, and Thom.
What are good middle names for Thomas?
Popular middle name pairings include Thomas James, Thomas William, Thomas Edward, Thomas Robert, Thomas Henry, Thomas Alexander, and Thomas John.
What are good sibling names for Thomas?
Names that pair well with Thomas as siblings include Elizabeth, Charlotte, Margaret, James, William, Catherine, and Henry.
How many syllables does Thomas have?
Thomas has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Thomas a common or rare name?
Thomas is a very popular name, ranked #39 among boy names in the United States.
What boy names are similar to Thomas?
Are there other spellings for Thomas?
Related spellings include Thompson.
About the Name Thomas
Thomas is a boy name with English, French, German, Spanish, and Irish origins . The name means "Twin" in Aramaic .
Is Thomas a boy or girl name? Thomas is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #39 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #71,543. Thomas is more commonly used as a boy name.
Thomas is currently ranked #39 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Thomas has 2 syllables and is pronounced t-AHM-uhs, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Thomas include Tom, Tommy, and Thom. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Thomas include Thompson . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis