Gender:

Male

Meaning:

twin (from Aramaic: Ta’oma)

History & etymology:

The name Thomas ultimately derives from Aramaic Ta’oma, meaning 'twin'. The English spelling of the name was based on Greek Thomas.

The famous Biblical bearer of the name was St. Thomas, one of the disciples of Jesus. His real name was Yeuda (Judas) but he received the epithet Thomas (meaning 'twin') to distinguish him from the other Apostle Judas. He is known as 'doubting Thomas' because he could not believe in Christ’s resurrection and demanded to examine his wounds. Apart from this single manifest of skepticism, he was generally a devoted disciple and follower of Jesus.

His feast day is celebrated on 3rd July.

Alternative spellings & nicknames:

Short forms: Tom, Thom; Scottish: Tam
Diminutive: Tommy, Tommie

Similar names in other languages & name days:

Austria
3rd July: Thomas

Finland
21st December: Tuomas

France
28th January, 3rd July: Thomas

Greece
14th April: Thomais
26th April: Thomas

Hungary
7th March, 21st December, 29th December: Tamás

Ireland
18th March: Tommán

Poland
7th March, 22nd September, 18th November, 21st December, 29th December: Tomasz

Spain
27th January, 28th January, 3rd July, 10th October: Tomás

Sweden
21st December: Tomas

USA
13th April: Thomas, Thom, Tomas, Tom, Tommy, Tommie

Russian: Foma
Scottish: Tavish, Tàmhas
Serbian: Toma
Welsh: Tomos

Famous people named Thomas/Tom/Tommy:

St. Thomas Aquinas (1225 - 1274) - Italian friar
Thomas Cook (1808 - 1892) - English entrepreneur
Tom Cruise (1962-) - American actor and film producer
Thomas Edison (1847 - 1931) - American inventor
Tom Felton (1987-) - English actor
Tom Hanks (1956-) - American actor and film producer
Thomas Hardy (1840 - 1928) -English writer
Tommy Hilfiger (1951-) - American fashion designer
Thomas Hobbes (1588 - 1679) - English philosopher
Thomas Jefferson (1743 - 1826) - former US President
Tommy Lee Jones (1946-) - American actor and film producer
Thomas Moore (1779 - 1852) - Irish poet
St. Thomas More (1529 - 1532) - Lord High Chancellor of England

Fun facts:

Popularity (2015)

USA: 51st
England and Wales: 9th
Canada: 36th     
Australia: 6th
New Zealand: 12th
Ireland: 11th
Northern Ireland: 9th          
Scotland: 22nd

Austria: 52nd
Belgium: 15th
Chile: 43rd     
France: 23rd
Netherlands: 12th
Norway: 59th
Switzerland: 46th

Lucky colors: black, white
Lucky stone: Diamond, pearl
Ruling planet: the Moon
Characteristics: heroic, helpful, idealistic, incorruptible, reliable

Tom & Jerry is the title of a classic cartoon.