Tom
/tɒm/noun
A common male given name, often used in English as a familiar form of Thomas.
Did you know?Tom is a medieval short form of Thomas, a name that ultimately goes back to an Aramaic word meaning “twin,” which is why the same ancient root also lies behind the apostle Thomas.
Etymological Timeline
Aramaic
Aramaic
tʔwma / taʔoma
“twin”
Greek
Greek
Thomas
“a male name borrowed from Aramaic, associated with the apostle”
Latin
Latin
Thomas
“the biblical name carried into Latin Christian tradition”
Middle English
English
Tom
“a familiar short form of Thomas”
Modern English
English
Tom
“a common male given name and informal form of Thomas”