A 1940s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Tommy since 1880
Babies named Tommy per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 94 |
| 1890s | 159 |
| 1900s | 406 |
| 1910s | 1,805 |
| 1920s | 6,849 |
| 1930s | 19,857 |
| 1940s | 37,046 |
| 1950s | 34,974 |
| 1960s | 29,365 |
| 1970s | 16,175 |
| 1980s | 10,462 |
| 1990s | 9,038 |
| 2000s | 6,709 |
| 2010s | 3,592 |
| 2020s | 2,202 |
Meaning & origin
Tommy, a familiar short form of Thomas, has a long history as a given name in its own right. It first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1880, the earliest year data is available. The name saw its peak popularity in 1944, ranking among the top 50 names for boys at the time, reflecting a mid-century preference for casual, friendly-sounding names. After a period of decline, Tommy has been rising in usage since 2015, gaining a 42% increase in new registrations over the past five years. It is most popular in Utah, Idaho, and New Mexico, though it remains a relatively infrequent choice nationwide. With a current 1-in-4,067 birth rate, Tommy carries a vintage charm without feeling dated, appealing to parents seeking a classic nickname as a formal name.
Tommy is a pet form of Thomas, derived from the Aramaic תָּאוֹמָא (Ta'oma'), meaning 'twin.' Thomas appears in the New Testament as one of the twelve apostles, and the name has been common in England since the Norman Conquest. Tommy emerged as a standalone given name in the 19th century, particularly in the United States and Britain, often used affectionately for boys named Thomas.
Where Tommy 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.
“Tommy” around the world
Where Tommy lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
155
babies in 2024
Ireland
#27
in 2025
New Zealand
#73
in 2025
Quebec
63
babies in 2025
Australia (NSW)
#97
in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec) · NSW Registry of BDM (Australia (NSW)).
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Tommie
Sibling names for Tommy
Names that share Tommy's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Emma, Lily, Molly, Chloe, Hannah, Becky, Bessie, Bobbi, Bobbie, Candy, Cathy, Cindy, Frankie, Jackie, Janie, Joni, Laurie, Margie, Nannie, Patsy, Patty, Peggy, Sally, Sammie, Sandy, Susie, Tammy, Trudy, Betsy, Bobbijo, Cathie, Cristy, Danni, Debby, Dodie, Dolly, Dottie, Dotty, Ginny, Jeanie, Jeannie, Jerrie, Joanie, Jonni, Jonnie, Judi, Judie, Kattie, Luanne, Marci, Maryjo, Marylee, Marylou, Missy, Nettie, Patti, Peggie, Pennie, Polly, Ricki, Sallie, Tammi, Tammie, Tandy, Terrie, Tessie, Tisha, Tonja, Vickey, Vickie, Vikki, Aggie, Becki, Bettylou, Billiejo, Billye, Bobbye, Bobette, Bonni, Candie, Cathey, Cathi, Chrissy, Cyndi, Cyndy, Debbi, Debi, Dorie, Genny, Janey, Jeffie, Jodee, Johnsie, Jonie, Josey, Kimmie, Kimmy, Kittie, Lannie, Louann, Margy, Mikki, Milly, Mistie, Monnie, Nancee, Nancie, Nickie, Penney, Pinkie, Pollie, Robbi, Romie, Ronni, Sammi, Sandee, Shirl, Sindy, Sonnie, Suzi, Suzie, Suzy, Tamie, Teddie, Tommye, Tonie, Vonnie, Wendie, Amyjo, Bettyjean, Bettyjo, Billee, Binnie, Bobbe, Bobbiejo, Bobi, Bobie, Bonney, Carrieann, Cindee, Cindie, Deanie, Doll, Donie, Dorrie, Emmajean, Gini, Ginnie, Henny, Hessie, Janney, Janny, Jeani, Jinny, Joani, Jobeth, Johnnye, Jolly, Kammi, Katye, Konnie, Krissie, Lutie, Marcey, Marysue, Matie, Matty, Maurie, Meggie, Nanie, Nonnie, Patsey, Patsie, Peggi, Pinkey, Pollyanna, Ramie, Ronee, Rubbie, Salli, Samie, Saralee, Sherrye, Sissy, Sonni, Sueellen, Susy, Tammye, Tamy, Tish, Tonnie, Tonyia, Babs, Betsie, Buffi, Buffie, Chrisie, Chrisy, Cinde, Danney, Denni, Dody, Dollye, Donni, Dotti, Fonnie, Frankee, Frannie, Ginni, Izzie, Jammy, Jeanny, Jemmie, Jerie, Jimmye, Joeleen, Johni, Johnni, Jossie, Lallie, Lilliemae, Lolly, Lonni, Lulie, Lyndie, Lynnie, Mamye, Margi, Missie, Molley, Mystie, Nikie, Pammy, Pattye, Peggye, Pennye, Rockie, Shelvie, Shonnie, Syndi, Taffy, Tanny, Timi, Tonni, Yenny, Caroljean, Kimarie, Anndee, Barby, Bekki, Bennye, Bettyanne, Blossie, Bobbyjo, Brandey, Cathye, Dedee, Dotsie, Geanie, Georjean, Gloriajean, Jany, Jeanni, Jeany, Jerrye, Jodiann, Johnye, Kathyjo, Ketty, Lenzie, Marji, Marsi, Marylon, Mimie, Mitsy, Myndi, Nansi, Nattie, Ninnie, Pammie, Pasty, Patsye, Peggyann, Pegi, Pollyann, Randye, Rosielee, Salle, Schelly, Stephie, Suellyn, Taffie, Tamey, Tannie, Tarrie, Terree, Terrilee, Timmi, Tomma, Tonji, Toyna, Tressy, Yeny
Brothers: Jack, Sam, Henry, Charlie, Ben, Bennie, Billy, Bobby, Donnie, Gerry, Jimmy, Joey, Johnny, Lonnie, Rickey, Ricky, Ronnie, Timmy, Barney, Benny, Dannie, Davey, Denny, Dickie, Eddy, Fredie, Jacky, Lanny, Lonny, Mickey, Nickey, Nicky, Reggie, Richie, Rickie, Robby, Ronny, Sammy, Scotty, Torry, Dennie, Franky, Jerre, Jonny, Laddie, Mannie, Mikey, Roddy, Ronney, Timmie, Wally, Willy, Benjie, Billey, Billyjoe, Bubba, Chuckie, Dickey, Dicky, Dondi, Herby, Howie, Jackey, Jimmey, Olie, Richy, Rody, Rommie, Rondy, Ronie, Tollie, Tonny, Benjy, Boby, Jakie, Jetty, Jimie, Joedy, Kippy, Limmie, Lonney, Mikie, Rannie, Skippy, Arty, Bengie, Benney, Chucky, Frankey, Freddi, Jery, Jhonnie, Jimmi, Jimy, Jodey, Kinnie, Roddie, Tery
Names like Tommy
Names whose popularity has moved with Tommy's over the last 50 years.
