International Variations of Thomas

A solid classic with plenty of history, Thomas strikes the balance between strength and gentleness. A favorite in the UK, a staple in France, and Australia, and never absent from the US Top 100, Thomas feels like a safe bet and a name that fits into any era.

Tamsin is an offbeat name occasionally heard in Britain and just waiting to be discovered here. U.K. actress Tamsin Greig is a star of the show Episodes, Tamsin Olivier is the daughter of Joan Plowright and Sir Laurence Olivier..

Just like Sam and Ben, Tom could be revived as a simple, well liked name on its own. Tom, just Tom, is one of the Top 100 Boy Names in France

A surprising number of parents choose to put the nickname Tommy on their son's birth certificate rather than the more traditional Thomas. Perhaps even more surprising is thE fact that Tommy has never been off the United States popularity charts. More recently, however, the name has been trending downward.

This Scottish form of Thomas has a lot of charm, evoking images of men in plaid kilts playing the bagpipes. As for the 'ish' ending, it could either be seen as cozy and hamish, or a little wishy-washyish.

Pre-Thomasina female form of Thomas, now seen as more literary and upscale British. In Thomas Hardy's novel The Return of the Native, a leading character is Thomasin Yeobright.

The most common form of Thomas in various European languages, although some Anglophone parents also use this as a phonetic spelling of the classic name. Tomas is usually pronounced with an emphasis on the second syllable -- toe-MAHS -- though you might not succeed in getting other people to go along with that in the US, where your exotically named Tomas may quickly devolve into just plain Tom.

Tomos is the standard Welsh version of Thomas, both in the Bible and secular texts like Thomas the Tank Engine. It is an enduring classic in the Welsh charts, with diminutives including Twm and Tomi.

Though rarely used now that many parents would rather appropriate men's names than sweeten them with feminine endings, Thomasina does have some vintage appeal.

Cute boyish nickname for Thomasina, Thomasin or Tamsin.

Popularized in Scotland by Tam O'Shanter, the hero of one of Robert Burns' most famous poems, it's associated in the U.S. with the plaid cap he gave his name to. But this could make a creative honor name or middle name after an ancestral Thomas.

A Welsh diminutive of Tomos/Thomas, or just a simplified spelling of Tommy.

Alternative Cornish spelling of Tamsin, which derives from Thomasin or Thomasina.

Made famous in fifties movies as a wholesome backwoods gal, Tammy was a Top 10 choice from the mid-60s to early-70s, but is now given to fewer than 100 babies per year in the US.

Though it makes the name more distinctive, we'd advise dropping the 'z'.

Nearly every name takes on a more sensual, worldly quality in its Italian version.

Toomas is a masculine name of Estonian origin, being the Estonian form of Thomas. It derives from the Aramaic name Ta'oma meaning 'twin.' In Estonia, Toomas has been one of the more traditional and popular male names throughout recent history. It gained particular prominence in the late 20th century, with former Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves helping to bring international recognition to the name. While primarily found in Estonia and among Estonian diaspora communities, Toomas maintains connections to the more widely recognized Thomas, though with its distinctive Estonian cultural identity and pronunciation.

This Westernized form of the name of an ancient Mongol warrior, remembered primarily today through the works of Christopher Marlowe and Edgar Allan Poe, runs the risk of sounding pompous and pretentious.

Toma is one of the handful of names that has different versions for boys and girls. For boys, it's the Romanian and Croatian short form of Thomas.

Thoma is a masculine name that originated as a variant of Thomas, which derives from the Aramaic name תְּאוֹמָא (Ta'oma) meaning 'twin.' It has roots in various European cultures, particularly Italian and German traditions. In Italy, Thoma is a surname that became used as a given name, while in German-speaking regions, it developed as a shortened form of Thomas. The name has maintained steady but modest usage throughout history, never reaching extreme popularity but remaining recognized across different cultures. Thoma carries a classical feel with modern versatility, appealing to parents seeking a distinctive yet traditional-sounding name for their sons.