Tommy is a popular given name of Irish origin. It is derived from the medieval English form Thomas, which was introduced into Britain by the Normans and was initially used as an Anglo-Norman personal name. The name Thomas itself comes from the Aramaic word "t'oma", meaning "twin".
In Irish culture, Tommy has been a popular choice for boys for centuries. It is often associated with Saint Thomas, one of the twelve apostles in the New Testament of the Bible. The name gained further popularity in Ireland after the establishment of the Christian church, as it was seen as a name with religious significance.
Throughout history, Tommy has been borne by many notable figures. Some of these include Tommy Lee Jones, an American actor and film director; Tommy Hilfiger, an American fashion designer; and Tommy Smith, an Australian athlete who won gold medals in track and field at the Olympic Games. These individuals have contributed to the enduring popularity of the name Tommy.
Today, Tommy remains a popular choice for boys' names around the world. It is often chosen for its simple, classic sound and its strong Irish heritage. Despite its roots in ancient history, Tommy has a modern, approachable feel that makes it appealing to parents looking for a timeless yet contemporary name for their child.
The given statistics show the annual number of births with the name Tommy in the United States from 1880 to 2023. Over this period, there has been a significant fluctuation in the popularity of this name.
From 1880 to around 1920, the number of births with the name Tommy remained relatively low, ranging from 5 to 44 births per year. However, starting in 1924, there was a notable increase in the popularity of this name, with over 500 births annually.
The peak of popularity for the name Tommy occurred between 1928 and 1938, during which time more than 1,000 babies were named Tommy each year. The highest number of births with this name was recorded in 1937, with 2,326 babies named Tommy.
After the 1940s, there was a gradual decline in the popularity of the name Tommy. By the late 1960s and early 1970s, fewer than 2,500 babies were named Tommy each year. This trend continued throughout the following decades, with the annual number of births with this name dropping below 1,000 in the mid-1980s.
From the late 1980s to around 2003, approximately 900 to 1,000 babies were named Tommy each year. After that period, there was another decline in popularity, with fewer than 500 births annually from 2004 onwards.
In recent years, the number of births with the name Tommy has remained relatively stable, ranging between approximately 300 and 400 births per year. In 2021 and 2022, there were 351 and 356 births respectively, showing a slight increase in popularity compared to previous years.
In total, from 1880 to 2022, there have been 177,938 babies named Tommy born in the United States.