A 1880s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Bartholomew since 1880
Babies named Bartholomew per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1969, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Bartholomew's real moment was 1885.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 87 |
| 1890s | 78 |
| 1900s | 52 |
| 1910s | 290 |
| 1920s | 345 |
| 1930s | 251 |
| 1940s | 318 |
| 1950s | 437 |
| 1960s | 447 |
| 1970s | 597 |
| 1980s | 558 |
| 1990s | 271 |
| 2000s | 151 |
| 2010s | 194 |
| 2020s | 195 |
Meaning & origin
Bartholomew is a name of Aramaic origin, meaning 'son of the furrow' (bar-Talmay). In the New Testament, Bartholomew was one of the twelve apostles, and the name was widely used in medieval Christian Europe. After the Reformation, it became less common in Protestant countries but remained in use among Catholics. In the United States, Bartholomew has had a modest but steady presence. It peaked in popularity in 1885, and after a long decline it has been rising again since 2009. In 2025, it ranked 3089, with roughly 1 in 44,000 boys receiving the name. Its highest usage in the 1880s came from states like Kansas and California. The name is often shortened to Bart, familiar from the fictional character Bart Simpson, though the show has not notably affected its real-world usage. Despite its rarity, Bartholomew holds a distinguished, classical feel that some parents find appealing.
Bartholomew derives from the Aramaic bar-Talmay, meaning 'son of Talmay'. In the New Testament, Bartholomew is one of the twelve apostles. The name was common in medieval Europe due to the apostle's veneration, but its use declined after the Reformation. It has persisted in English-speaking countries, often in the nickname Bart.
Where Bartholomew is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Bart, Bartie, Barth, Tolly
Variants: Bartholomäus, Bartolomeo, Bartolomé, Barthélémy, Bartosz
Sibling names for Bartholomew
Names that share Bartholomew's style, for a brother or sister.
