Thomas
Thomas is a boy's name of Aramaic origin.
Meaning
Twin.
Origin and history
Thomas is a classic masculine name derived from an Aramaic word meaning 'twin.' It gained wide usage across the Christian world through St. Thomas the Apostle and became one of the most enduring boys' names in English history. In the United States, it is a timeless classic that ranks among the top ten most common male names overall.
Popularity in the United States
2,358,576 babies in the United States have been named Thomas since 1880. It ranks #10 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #43.
States where it is most popular
- NY (10.6 %)
- PA (8 %)
- CA (6 %)
- IL (5.8 %)
- OH (5.8 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 23,750 |
| 1890-1900 | 21,115 |
| 1900-1910 | 21,783 |
| 1910-1920 | 91,619 |
| 1920-1930 | 161,107 |
| 1930-1940 | 183,878 |
| 1940-1950 | 350,775 |
| 1950-1960 | 454,385 |
| 1960-1970 | 327,055 |
| 1970-1980 | 186,739 |
| 1980-1990 | 177,817 |
| 1990-2000 | 146,638 |
| 2000-2010 | 102,106 |
| 2010-2019 | 70,027 |
| 2020-2029 | 39,782 |
Famous people named Thomas
- Thomas Jefferson: President, Founding Father
- Thomas Edison: Inventor, Businessman
- Thomas Hanks: Actor, Filmmaker
Nicknames
Tom, Tommy, Tommie
Fun facts
- The name originates from the Aramaic word Ta'oma', which directly translates to 'twin.'
- It was the name of two U.S. Presidents, most notably Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence.
- Thomas ranks as the 10th most popular male name in cumulative U.S. Social Security Administration records since 1880.