Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Tom
BoyEnglish, Aramaic· “short form of Thomas, twin”
- Meaning
- short form of Thomas, twin
- Origin
- English, Aramaic
- Pronunciation
- TAHM
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #2,206
- US babies 2025
- 65
- Best rank
- #40 (1880)
- Peak year
- 1959
Meaning and origin of Tom
Tom is an English and Aramaic name that means “short form of Thomas, twin”.
Tom is the classic English short form of Thomas, from the Aramaic word for "twin" carried into Greek and Latin through the apostle Thomas. It was in use as a pet form by the Middle Ages and appears in many English expressions, from Tom Thumb to Tom Sawyer, the hero of Mark Twain's novel. Said TAHM in the US, it is one of the most straightforward boy names in English. Many parents now give it as a full name rather than a nickname, which suits the current taste for short, vintage names.
Other spellings with the same sound: Thom.
Popularity over time
Tom has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 116 different years. Its best national rank was #40 in 1880, and the most babies received it in 1959, when 5,068 were named Tom. In 2025, 65 babies were named Tom, and it ranked #2,206 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #131 in 1920, #145 in 1950, #564 in 1980, #1,311 in 2000, #1,828 in 2010, and #2,206 in 2025. Of the 139,756 US boys named Tom since records began, 21% were born in the 1940s, its biggest decade. The 1960s come next, with 29,201 babies. Since 2010, 1,131 more have been named Tom.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Darrell, Jay, Rick, Jim, and Phillip.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Tom ranked highest in New York, California, and Texas.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New York | #1196 | 10 |
| California | #1971 | 8 |
| Texas | #2537 | 6 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Tom is usually pronounced TAHM, with one syllable. It has three letters, starts with T and ends in “-om”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Thom.
Middle names for Tom
A few middle names that flow with Tom: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Tom
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Lists that include Tom
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Tom mean?
Tom is an English and Aramaic name that means “short form of Thomas, twin”.
What is the origin of the name Tom?
Tom has English and Aramaic roots. Tom is the classic English short form of Thomas, from the Aramaic word for "twin" carried into Greek and Latin through the apostle Thomas.
Is Tom a popular name?
Not especially. Tom ranked #2,206 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Tom a boy or girl name?
Tom is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Tom?
Tom is usually pronounced TAHM. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings