name
Very common
Thomas
TOM-uhs
Thomas (name) means a common male given name, from the Aramaic word for "twin", popular since biblical times. Example: “His grandfather was named Thomas after the apostle.”
name
1
A common male given name, from the Aramaic word for "twin", popular since biblical times.
"His grandfather was named Thomas after the apostle."
noun
1
A "doubting Thomas" — someone who is skeptical and hard to convince without proof.
"Don't be such a Thomas — just trust the numbers."
How to use Thomas
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA common first name, and the source of the phrase "doubting Thomas" for someone who needs proof before they'll believe something.
Common pairings
doubting Thomas
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Word forms
- Plural
- Thomases
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His grandfather was named _____ after the apostle.
Etymology
From the Aramaic word for "twin", carried into English through the biblical apostle Thomas, famous for doubting Jesus's resurrection until he saw the evidence himself.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “Thomas” mean?
The word “Thomas” means a common male given name, from the Aramaic word for "twin", popular since biblical times. In plain terms, a common first name, and the source of the phrase "doubting Thomas" for someone who needs proof before they'll believe something.
How do you pronounce “Thomas”?
“Thomas” is pronounced TOM-uhs (/ˈtɑ.məs/ in IPA).
How do you use “Thomas” in a sentence?
Here is “Thomas” used in a sentence: “His grandfather was named Thomas after the apostle.”
What part of speech is “Thomas”?
Depending on how it is used, “Thomas” can be a name and a noun.
Where does the word “Thomas” come from?
The word “Thomas” comes from Aramaic. From the Aramaic word for "twin", carried into English through the biblical apostle Thomas, famous for doubting Jesus's resurrection until he saw the evidence himself.
Is “Thomas” a common word?
“Thomas” is a very common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Thomas” have?
“Thomas” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a common male given name, from the Aramaic word for "twin", popular since biblical times.
What does the name Thomas mean?
Thomas means 'twin'. It comes from the Aramaic word te'oma, meaning a twin, which passed into Greek and Latin and then into English. Because of this origin the name has long carried associations of pairing and likeness, though today most people choose it simply as a classic, familiar boys' name rather than for its meaning.
Is Thomas a biblical name?
Yes. Thomas was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus, best known from the phrase 'Doubting Thomas' because he wanted proof of the resurrection before he would believe. The name's steady popularity across Christian cultures for many centuries owes much to this biblical figure and to several later saints who shared it.
What are common nicknames for Thomas?
The usual short forms are Tom and Tommy, both widely used and affectionate. Thom is a less common spelling of the nickname. Around the world you also meet related full forms such as Tomás in Spanish, Tomas in Scandinavian languages, and Tommaso in Italian, all sharing the same 'twin' origin as the English Thomas.
Is Thomas a popular name?
Thomas has been a consistently popular boys' name in English-speaking countries for centuries and remains a solid, traditional choice today. It rarely tops modern charts but almost never falls out of use, valued for sounding classic without being old-fashioned. Its long history and easy nicknames help keep it steadily in favour.
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