Thomas (given name) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Thomas |
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| Pronunciation | TOM-əs |
| Gender | Male |
| Name day | July 3 |
| Origin | |
| Language(s) | Aramaic, Greek |
| Meaning | "Twin" |
Thomas is a popular boy's name with a long history. It comes from an ancient language called Aramaic. The English spelling Thomas comes from the Latin and Greek versions of the name. The name Thomas means "twin." You might know it from Thomas the Apostle, who was one of the twelve main followers of Jesus.
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What Does the Name Thomas Mean?
This name has a special meaning. The word "Thomas" comes from an old Aramaic word, "Tawmɑʔ," which means 'twin'. This meaning has stayed the same across many different languages.
Where Did the Name Thomas Come From?
The idea of "twin" is found in many ancient languages. For example, in Hebrew, the word for twin is "teom." In Arabic, it's "tawam." This shows how old and widespread the root of the name Thomas is.
How Popular is the Name Thomas?
The name Thomas has been popular for a very long time. It has been a favorite choice for parents in many countries.
Thomas Through History
In medieval Europe, Thomas was a very common name. Before the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, it was not often heard in Britain. However, by the 13th and 14th centuries, it became widely used.
Thomas Today in Different Countries
Thomas continues to be a well-liked name. For example, in 2022, it was the eighth most popular name for boys in Canada. In the United Kingdom, it ranked 13th in 2017, with over 3,200 babies receiving the name. The United States has also seen Thomas as a consistently popular name. Over the last 100 years, it has been listed as the ninth most popular name overall. In 2017, it was the 48th most popular name, given to over 7,100 babies.
Thomas Around the World
The name Thomas is known and used in many different languages. Even though the spelling might change, the meaning often stays the same. Here are a few examples:
- In Spanish, it's Tomás.
- In French, it's Thomas.
- In German, it's Thomas or Tom.
- In Italian, it's Tommaso.
- In Japanese, it's トーマス (Tōmasu).
- In Russian, it's Томас (Tomas) or Фома (Foma).
Explore More About Names
If you found this interesting, you might want to learn more about names!
- List of people with given name Thomas
- Thomas (disambiguation)
- Thomasina or Thomasine—These are the girl versions of the name Thomas.
- Tommy/Tommie—These are shorter, friendly versions of Thomas.
