Tom
Say it: TOM/tɒm/
BoyMeans twin3 letters1 syllable
#48
in Ireland (2025)
#49 with spellings combined
111
babies in 2025
#33
best rank (2018)
3,575
babies since 1980
Down 12
10-year rank change
Tom through the years
Compare with another name →Show the numbers
| Year | Babies (boys) | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 111 | #49 |
| 2024 | 103 | #58 |
| 2023 | 135 | #40 |
| 2022 | 143 | #44 |
| 2021 | 181 | #33 |
| 2020 | 137 | #44 |
| 2019 | 163 | #39 |
| 2018 | 198 | #33 |
| 2017 | 155 | #50 |
| 2016 | 197 | #36 |
| 2015 | 192 | #37 |
| 2014 | 185 | #45 |
| 2013 | 178 | #49 |
| 2012 | 157 | #58 |
| 2011 | 126 | #66 |
| 2010 | 127 | #62 |
| 2009 | 139 | #63 |
| 2008 | 113 | #76 |
| 2007 | 107 | #74 |
| 2006 | 100 | #71 |
| 2005 | 80 | #79 |
| 2004 | 60 | #98 |
| 2003 | 74 | #83 |
| 2002 | 61 | #90 |
| 2001 | 56 | #94 |
| 2000 | 39 | #116 |
| 1999 | 29 | #129 |
| 1998 | 34 | #116 |
| 1997 | 29 | #139 |
| 1996 | 25 | #149 |
| 1995 | 25 | #143 |
| 1994 | 14 | #174 |
| 1993 | 18 | #169 |
| 1992 | 16 | #174 |
| 1991 | 13 | #179 |
| 1990 | 5 | #256 |
| 1989 | 7 | #215 |
| 1988 | 8 | #207 |
| 1987 | 9 | #203 |
| 1986 | 4 | #283 |
| 1984 | 5 | #250 |
| 1983 | 5 | #258 |
| 1982 | 5 | #268 |
| 1981 | 4 | #292 |
| 1980 | 3 | #321 |
Source: CSO, Irish Babies' Names (VSA50, VSA60), CC BY 4.0.
★ What does Tom mean?
Twin
English, a short form of Thomas, from an Aramaic word for twin.
Say it right
TOM
The story of Tom
Tom has been a short form of Thomas since the Middle Ages. Thomas came into English through Latin and Greek from an Aramaic nickname meaning twin. It was borne by one of the twelve apostles, the one remembered as doubting Thomas. Tom is also given as a full name, especially in Germanic countries and Scandinavia.
Irish parents register it as a name of its own too, and it reached the CSO list in 1980. It grew steadily through the 2000s. Its best year came in 2018 with 198 babies, when it was number 33. In Northern Ireland it has never climbed as high, and its best there was 42nd in 2016.
Say it differently where you're from, or spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Sources
- Wiktionary: Tom (English proper noun)
- Wiktionary: Thomas (English proper noun)
- Wikipedia: Tom (given name)
- CSO VSA50, Boys Names in Ireland with 3 or More Occurrences
- NISRA, Baby names in Northern Ireland
At a glance
Similar names
Sibling ideas
Nicknames
Tommy
Spellings counted here
| Spelling | 2025 | All years |
|---|---|---|
| Tom | 111 | 3,575 |
In Northern Ireland
#79 in 2025 with 30 babies. Best rank #42 (2016); 1,094 babies since 1997.
Source: NISRA, Open Government Licence.