Thomas Boy

Popularity: #34 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: TOM-us //ˈtɒməs//

Origin: Aramaic; Greek; Latin

Meaning: Aramaic: twin; Greek: a name derived from the Hebrew word for 'twin'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Thomas originates from the Aramaic name "Te'oma," which means "twin." This name was adopted into Greek as "Thomas" and subsequently into Latin, where it maintained its form. The transition into Old French as "Thomas" further solidified its presence in Western Europe, eventually making its way into English by the 12th century.

The name's etymological roots reflect a common practice in ancient cultures of naming individuals after familial relationships, in this case, suggesting a twin sibling or a close bond between siblings. Historically, Thomas is most notably associated with the biblical figure Thomas the Apostle, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ.

He is often referred to as "Doubting Thomas" due to his initial skepticism regarding the resurrection of Jesus, a narrative found in the Gospel of John, which was written in the late 1st century. The name gained further prominence through the Middle Ages, particularly with the veneration of Saint Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury, who was martyred in 1170.

His canonization in 1173 and the subsequent establishment of pilgrimage sites contributed to the name's enduring legacy in Christian tradition. Culturally, the name Thomas has been associated with qualities such as loyalty and faithfulness, reflecting the characteristics attributed to its biblical namesake.

The name has also inspired various diminutive forms, such as Tom and Tommy, which have been used affectionately in English-speaking cultures. Throughout history, Thomas has appeared in numerous literary works and has been borne by many notable figures, including philosophers, writers, and leaders, further embedding it in the cultural consciousness.

Its historical significance and rich etymological background have ensured that the name remains a symbol of enduring value across various cultures.

Famous people named Thomas

In this section, you will find notable people named Thomas. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Thomas who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Thomas who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Thomas Edison is an inventor and businessman best known for the electric light bulb, phonograph, and motion pictures.

Thomas Jefferson is a Founding Father and the third President of the United States best known for drafting the Declaration of Independence.

Thomas Hardy is a novelist and poet best known for Tess of the d'Urbervilles, Jude the Obscure, and Far from the Madding Crowd.

Thomas Mann is a novelist best known for Buddenbrooks, The Magic Mountain, and Death in Venice.

Thomas Aquinas is a philosopher and theologian best known for Summa Theologica and Summa Contra Gentiles.

Thomas Paine is a political activist and writer best known for Common Sense and The American Crisis.

Thomas Wolfe is a novelist best known for Look Homeward, Angel, and You Can't Go Home Again.

Thomas Haden Church is an actor best known for Sideways, Wings, and Spider-Man 3.

Thomas Bangalter is a musician best known as a member of Daft Punk and for the album Discovery.

Thomas Rhett is a country music singer and songwriter best known for Die a Happy Man, It Goes Like This, and Life Changes.

Thomas Dolby is a musician and producer best known for She Blinded Me with Science and his work in the 1980s synth-pop genre.

Thomas Jane is an actor best known for The Punisher, The Mist, and Hung.

Thomas Middleditch is an actor and comedian best known for Silicon Valley, and his work in improv comedy.

Thomas Vinterberg is a film director best known for Festen, The Hunt, and Another Round.

Thomas Ian Nicholas is an actor best known for American Pie, Rookie of the Year, and Walt Before Mickey.

Thomas McDonell is an actor best known for The 100, Prom, and The Forbidden Kingdom.

Fictional characters named Thomas

The following list of fictional characters named Thomas is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Thomas the Tank Engine is a fictional character from the children's television series Thomas & Friends. He is a cheerful blue steam engine who works on the Island of Sodor and often finds himself in various adventures.

Thomas Anderson, also known as Neo, is a fictional character from the film series The Matrix. He is a hacker who becomes the prophesied savior of humanity in a dystopian future controlled by machines.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Thomas, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

JamesWilliamHenryCharlesEdwardGeorgeSamuel

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Thomas. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

TimothyTobiasTalonTannerTitusTheoTristan

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Thomas was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Thomas has ranked as high as #12 nationally, which occurred in 1952, and has been most popular in New York, Pennsylvania, California, Illinois, and Ohio.

In the past 5 years the name Thomas has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Thomas is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Thomas was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Thomas.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 6,924 6,917 7
2024 6,601 6,596 5
2023 6,632 6,625 7
2022 6,522 6,512 10
2021 6,685 6,680 5
2020 6,460 6,452 8
2019 6,667 6,667 0
2018 6,847 6,840 7
2017 7,198 7,187 11
2016 7,377 7,367 10
2015 7,214 7,204 10
2014 7,049 7,043 6
2013 6,807 6,799 8
2012 6,865 6,855 10
2011 6,939 6,929 10
2010 7,147 7,136 11
2009 7,741 7,728 13
2008 8,370 8,370 0
2007 8,943 8,935 8
2006 9,531 9,514 17
2005 10,051 10,041 10
2004 10,543 10,504 39
2003 10,951 10,935 16
2002 11,307 11,293 14
2001 12,163 12,148 15
2000 12,661 12,638 23
1999 12,814 12,795 19
1998 12,906 12,889 17
1997 12,918 12,899 19
1996 13,835 13,804 31
1995 14,193 14,163 30
1994 14,931 14,910 21
1993 14,897 14,868 29
1992 15,325 15,290 35
1991 16,830 16,789 41
1990 18,275 18,231 44
1989 18,509 18,439 70
1988 18,923 18,806 117
1987 18,264 18,139 125
1986 17,490 17,362 128
1985 17,722 17,609 113
1984 17,715 17,596 119
1983 17,712 17,565 147
1982 17,688 17,578 110
1981 17,268 17,159 109
1980 17,676 17,564 112
1979 16,576 16,454 122
1978 16,612 16,481 131
1977 16,709 16,586 123
1976 16,223 16,122 101
1975 16,618 16,532 86
1974 17,361 17,268 93
1973 18,022 17,921 101
1972 19,653 19,557 96
1971 23,280 23,149 131
1970 26,802 26,669 133
1969 27,568 27,465 103
1968 27,541 27,420 121
1967 28,385 28,247 138
1966 29,120 29,003 117
1965 31,707 31,595 112
1964 34,576 34,463 113
1963 35,625 35,490 135
1962 36,643 36,529 114
1961 37,675 37,565 110
1960 39,397 39,278 119
1959 40,423 40,296 127
1958 42,203 42,088 115
1957 44,736 44,625 111
1956 44,940 44,836 104
1955 45,927 45,855 72
1954 47,237 47,159 78
1953 47,106 47,008 98
1952 48,725 48,647 78
1951 48,365 48,275 90
1950 45,677 45,596 81
1949 45,293 45,192 101
1948 43,875 43,780 95
1947 44,945 44,842 103
1946 38,985 38,877 108
1945 31,974 31,874 100
1944 31,704 31,604 100
1943 32,965 32,874 91
1942 31,203 31,100 103
1941 26,716 26,641 75
1940 24,077 23,991 86
1939 22,203 22,129 74
1938 21,457 21,381 76
1937 19,838 19,772 66
1936 18,418 18,342 76
1935 17,757 17,684 73
1934 17,435 17,373 62
1933 16,604 16,508 96
1932 16,926 16,834 92
1931 16,936 16,847 89
1930 17,136 17,008 128
1929 16,393 16,272 121
1928 16,725 16,582 143
1927 17,143 17,027 116
1926 16,702 16,592 110
1925 16,766 16,688 78
1924 16,640 16,555 85
1923 15,952 15,886 66
1922 15,328 15,261 67
1921 15,384 15,308 76
1920 15,018 14,936 82
1919 13,500 13,434 66
1918 13,979 13,910 69
1917 12,666 12,611 55
1916 12,047 11,998 49
1915 11,536 11,490 46
1914 8,898 8,850 48
1913 7,132 7,096 36
1912 6,121 6,087 34
1911 3,315 3,292 23
1910 2,869 2,851 18
1909 2,480 2,468 12
1908 2,323 2,301 22
1907 2,186 2,174 12
1906 2,189 2,176 13
1905 2,153 2,135 18
1904 2,073 2,057 16
1903 1,971 1,962 9
1902 2,150 2,134 16
1901 1,832 1,820 12
1900 2,572 2,556 16
1899 1,819 1,811 8
1898 2,172 2,161 11
1897 1,996 1,980 16
1896 2,099 2,088 11
1895 2,167 2,153 14
1894 2,179 2,170 9
1893 2,173 2,157 16
1892 2,429 2,413 16
1891 1,995 1,982 13
1890 2,209 2,200 9
1889 2,245 2,233 12
1888 2,463 2,449 14
1887 2,158 2,151 7
1886 2,345 2,337 8
1885 2,275 2,266 9
1884 2,582 2,572 10
1883 2,316 2,316 0
1882 2,622 2,610 12
1881 2,293 2,282 11
1880 2,542 2,534 8

Top States for Thomas (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
TX 569
9%
CA 509
8%
NY 411
6%
FL 352
5%
PA 260
4%
NC 247
4%
OH 237
4%
GA 228
3%
MA 223
3%
IL 214
3%
VA 213
3%
NJ 200
3%
TN 192
3%
MI 177
3%
IN 151
2%
SC 150
2%
WA 146
2%
MO 138
2%
AL 135
2%
MN 132
2%
CO 124
2%
UT 122
2%
WI 113
2%
AZ 102
2%
MD 100
2%
LA 94
1%
CT 94
1%
OK 86
1%
KY 85
1%
KS 76
1%
OR 73
1%
ID 64
1%
MS 57
1%
AR 55
1%
IA 53
1%
NE 52
1%
NV 42
1%
NH 39
1%
ME 34
1%
MT 27
0%
RI 27
0%
NM 26
0%
DC 23
0%
WV 22
0%
ND 19
0%
HI 16
0%
SD 16
0%
AK 16
0%
DE 15
0%
VT 10
0%
WY 10
0%