Thomas is a popular given name of Germanic origin, derived from the ancient Greek name "Toma", which means "twin". It is believed that this name was first used as an identifier for one of the twin sons of a legendary pair of twins in ancient Greece.
The use of the name Thomas can be traced back to the 12th century, when it began to appear in the British Isles. Over time, it gained popularity and became one of the most commonly used names in English-speaking countries.
Historically, the name Thomas has been associated with several notable figures throughout history. Saint Thomas the Apostle, one of Jesus Christ's twelve apostles, is perhaps the most famous bearer of this name. Additionally, there have been numerous kings, knights, and scholars named Thomas throughout history.
Today, Thomas remains a popular choice for parents naming their sons. It has consistently ranked among the top 100 names given to boys in the United States since the early 20th century.
Thomas is a popular given name in the United States, with over two million births recorded between 1880 and 2023. The name's popularity has fluctuated over time, peaking in the early to mid-20th century.
In the late 19th century, the number of babies named Thomas each year ranged from approximately 1,900 to 2,600. However, beginning around 1910, there was a significant increase in popularity for this name. By 1914, over 8,000 boys were named Thomas at birth, and by the mid-1920s, this number had more than doubled to over 16,000.
The height of popularity for the name Thomas occurred between the late 1930s and early 1950s. During these decades, more than 20,000 boys were named Thomas each year. The highest recorded number of births in a single year was 48,647 in 1952.
After the mid-1950s, the popularity of the name Thomas began to decline. Between 1960 and 2023, the number of newborn boys named Thomas has consistently been below 10,000 annually, with some years seeing fewer than 7,000 births.
Despite this decrease in popularity, Thomas remains a classic and timeless name choice for many parents. As of 2023, the total number of babies named Thomas in the United States since 1880 is estimated to be over two million.