Tom
Tom is a boy's name of Aramaic origin.
Meaning
Twin.
Origin and history
Tom is a classic short form of Thomas, originating from the Aramaic word Ta'oma, meaning 'twin'. It became widely established as an independent given name throughout the English-speaking world. In the United States, it enjoyed immense popularity in the early-to-mid 20th century and remains a recognizable, timeless classic.
Popularity in the United States
139,756 babies in the United States have been named Tom since 1880. It ranks #242 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1582.
States where it is most popular
- CA (12.1 %)
- OH (7.7 %)
- IL (7.5 %)
- MI (6.3 %)
- TX (5.5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 3,786 |
| 1890-1900 | 3,335 |
| 1900-1910 | 3,293 |
| 1910-1920 | 7,623 |
| 1920-1930 | 11,923 |
| 1930-1940 | 16,427 |
| 1940-1950 | 29,884 |
| 1950-1960 | 23,754 |
| 1960-1970 | 29,201 |
| 1970-1980 | 4,864 |
| 1980-1990 | 1,984 |
| 1990-2000 | 1,454 |
| 2000-2010 | 1,097 |
| 2010-2019 | 786 |
| 2020-2029 | 345 |
Famous people named Tom
- Tom Hanks: Actor, Filmmaker
- Tom Brady: Athlete, Football Player
- Tom Cruise: Actor, Producer
Nicknames
Tommy, Tommie
Fun facts
- Originally a nickname for Thomas, Tom became popular as a standalone legal given name in the 19th and 20th centuries.
- The name is immortalized in American literature through Mark Twain's famous character Tom Sawyer.