Tamlin

TAHM-lin; TAM-lin

Literary diminutive of Tam, Scottish

"twin; son of Thomas"

Tamlin Origin and Meaning

The name Tamlin is a boy's name meaning "twin; son of Thomas".

A gentle name with a playful and spirited air, Tamlin appears in a traditional Anglo-Scottish ballad that tells the story of Tamlin who is abducted by the Queen of Faeries and later rescued by his true love. It plays on the folktale motif of winning a lover by holding them through various trials and transformations.

Also appearing as Tamas-Lin, Tamlane, Tamlene, Tambling, Tam Lin, and Tam-a-Line in different versions of the ballad, Tamlin is a diminutive of Tam, the Scottish equivalent of the English Tom, ultimately from the Greek Biblical name, Thomas. It may therefore be interpreted as meaning "twin", or, as it is a diminutive, "son of Thomas".

Tamlin appears as a character in Sarah J Maas's book series, A Court of Thorns and Roses in which part of his story is loosely based on the traditional Tam Lin ballad.

Rarely used as a given name, Tamlin may nevertheless gain attention thanks to the book series, or appeal to those looking for an unusual way to honor a Thomas.