Declining since 1985, #2,183 for boys today.
Popularity of Tom since 1880
Babies named Tom per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1959, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Tom's real moment was 1883.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 3,786 |
| 1890s | 3,335 |
| 1900s | 3,293 |
| 1910s | 7,623 |
| 1920s | 11,923 |
| 1930s | 16,427 |
| 1940s | 29,884 |
| 1950s | 23,754 |
| 1960s | 29,201 |
| 1970s | 4,864 |
| 1980s | 1,984 |
| 1990s | 1,454 |
| 2000s | 1,097 |
| 2010s | 786 |
| 2020s | 345 |
Meaning & origin
Tom has been a familiar standalone name since the 19th century, but its popularity has steadily declined from its peak. Social Security data shows Tom first recorded in 1880, and it reached its highest rank of 2,183 in its peak year of 1883. Since then, the name has been on a downward trajectory, especially after 1985. In the most recent data (2025), the name occurs at a rate of about 1 in every 26,278 births, making it a rare choice today. Historically, Tom was most popular in the 1880s and has not experienced a revival. The top states for the name include New York, California, and Texas, reflecting its former broad appeal across the United States.
Tom originated as a medieval diminutive of Thomas, which derives from the Aramaic תָּאוֹמָא (Ta'oma'), meaning 'twin'. The name Thomas appears in the New Testament as one of the twelve apostles, famously doubting the resurrection. Tom became an independent given name in the English-speaking world by the 14th century, often used as a generic name for an ordinary man (e.g., 'Tom, Dick, and Harry').
Where Tom is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Tom” around the world
Where Tom lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
#36
in 2024
Ireland
#48
in 2025
New Zealand
11
babies in 2025
Quebec
#100
in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Tommy
Sibling names for Tom
Names that share Tom's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Jane, Kate, Meg, Beth, Grace, Jill, Jo, Nell, Sue, Bess, Katy, Liz, Nan, Pam, Teri, Vicky, Barb, Deb, Lu, Babe, Char, Patt, Peg, Su, Tawna, Katti, Pal, Pegge, Tessy, Tomia, Betsi, Jem, Jull, Nel
Brothers: Harry, Sam, Joe, Ben, Jack, Andy, Bill, Bob, Dan, Dave, Don, Greg, Jeff, Jess, Jim, Mike, Pat, Steve, Ted, Tim, Will, Bart, Bud, Chuck, Dick, Ed, Edd, Fran, Hal, Ken, Ned, Phil, Ron, Dann, Doc, Mick, Ric, San, Sim, Ab, Budd, Jen, Mart, Mat, Phill, Tee, Timm, Wash, Ger, Add, Bartt
