The story behind Thomas
Inherited from Middle English Thomas, from Latin Thōmās m (as in the Vulgate), from Ancient Greek Θωμᾶς m (Thōmâs), the Biblical Greek transcription of Aramaic תאומא or תאמא (“twin”), the nickname of one of the Twelve Apostles. In the gospel of John (11:16, 20:24), the Aramaic nickname is also translated into Greek, as δίδυμος m (dídumos). Used as a given name since the Middle Ages, e.g. Thomas the Presbyter (7th century), Thomas the Slav (8th century), Thomas of Bayeux (died 1100). (infidel or doubter):
Other language forms and explanations (2)
Latin entry
From Ancient Greek Θωμᾶς m (Thōmâs), the Biblical Greek transcription of Aramaic תאומא or תאמא (“twin”), the nickname of one of the Twelve Apostles.
Tagalog entry
Borrowed from English Thomas, from Middle English Thomas, from Latin Thōmās m, from Ancient Greek Θωμᾶς m (Thōmâs), the Biblical Greek transcription of Aramaic תאומא or תאמא (“twin”), the nickname of one of the Twelve Apostles. Doublet of Tomas.
Pronunciation
US: /ˈtɑ.məs/
Regional pronunciation variants
- UK: /ˈtɒm.əs/
- South-Asia: /ˈt̪ʰɔː.mɐs/
- South-Asia: /ˈʈʰɔː.mɐs/
- Latin; Classical-Latin: [ˈtʰoː.maːs]
- Latin: [ˈtɔː.mas]
- Tagalog; Standard-Tagalog: /ˈtomas/
- Tagalog; Standard-Tagalog: [ˈt̪oː.mɐs]
Popularity
Thomas ranked #13075 in US for 2025.
Source: SSA national baby names
Names Similar to Thomas
Tamás
Borrowed from Latin Thomas, from Ancient Greek Θωμᾶς (Thōmâs), from Aramaic תְּאוֹמָא (təʾōmā).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends S
- same syllable count
- similar length
Tomás
Derived from Ancient Greek Θωμᾶς m (Thōmâs), from Aramaic תאומא (“twin”). Inherited from Old Galician-Portuguese Thomas, from Latin Thōmās m, from Ancient Greek Θωμᾶς m…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends S
- same syllable count
- similar length
Tòmas
From English Thomas, from Latin Thōmās, from Ancient Greek Θωμᾶς (Thōmâs), from Aramaic תאומא, תאמא (“twin”). Doublet of Tàmhas, the form inherited from Old Irish.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends S
- same syllable count
- similar length
Tomass
First recorded in 1292. Ultimately from Aramaic. Cognate to English Thomas.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends S
- same syllable count
- similar length
Cephas
Borrowed from Latin Cēphās, from Ancient Greek Κηφᾶς (Kēphâs), from Aramaic כֵּיפָא/Classical Syriac ܟܐܦܐ (kēp̄ā, “stone, rock”).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends S
- same syllable count
- similar length
Doris
From Ancient Greek Δωρίς (Dōrís). Etymology 1 sense 7 is owing to similarity to Boris. Borrowed from English Doris.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends S
- same syllable count
- similar length
Middle Names for Thomas
Abigail
From Hebrew אֲבִיגַיִל (avigáyil, “Abigail”, literally “my Father's joy” or “fountain of joy”). a female given name from Hebrew, equivalent to English Abigail Borrowed from…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends L
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Adamu
Borrowed from English Adam.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends U
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Agnes
Borrowed from Ancient Greek Ἁγνή (Hagnḗ), coming from Ancient Greek ἁγνός (hagnós, “pure, chaste”), Ancient Greek ἁγνεία (hagneía, “purity, chastity”). Doublet of Inez.…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends S
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Sibling Names for Thomas
Aaron
From Latin Aaron, from Ancient Greek Ἀαρών (Aarṓn), from Hebrew אַהֲרֹן (ʾAhărōn), of unknown meaning, possibly meaning “bearer of martyrs”, or perhaps also, or instead,…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Abby
Borrowed from English Abby in the 20th century. Borrowed from English Abby.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends Y
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Abigail
From Hebrew אֲבִיגַיִל (avigáyil, “Abigail”, literally “my Father's joy” or “fountain of joy”). a female given name from Hebrew, equivalent to English Abigail Borrowed from…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends L
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length