Given name & surname
Thompson
“twin”
Thompson is a variant of Thomas. The original Aramaic byname means “twin.”
Meaning & origin
What it means
Thompson is a variant of Thomas. The original Aramaic byname means “twin.”
Explained through its name family
Where it comes from
Thompson is a variant of Thomas. Thomas developed from an Aramaic byname and reached wider use through its Greek biblical form.
Explained through its name family
How it developed
In English usage, Thompson as a surname has a “son of” formation linked to Tom. Thompson is a variant of Thomas. The shared background comes through Thomas: The apostle is called Thomas and also Didymus in the New Testament. Didymus reflects the Greek word for “twin,” matching the meaning of the Aramaic byname behind Thomas.
Combines direct and name-family evidence
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1882. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin. Thompson is a variant of Thomas. The history of Thomas gives this family its wider story. Thomas was the name of one of Jesus’s twelve apostles, remembered in Christian tradition for his doubts and later reassurance. That story helped establish the name across Christian naming traditions.
Combines direct and name-family evidence
Thompson through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 2,748
- 2,725 boys · 23 girls
- Most popular year
- 2018
- 76 babies
- 2025
- 64
- #2,359 for boys · #17,051 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- −11%
- Easing
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 59 U.S. birth records for boys, ranking No. 2,359 among boys’ names. Average annual use for boys was 15.6% lower in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for boys was 76 in 2018. It also appeared in 5 birth records for girls in 2025. In 2025, Texas had the largest reported state-level birth count for boys with this name (7). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 2,288 as a first name in 2020; 640,099 as a surname in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Thompson’s family of names
In English usage, Thompson as a surname has a “son of” formation linked to Tom. Thompson has a related form in Thomas. In English usage, Thompson has a related form in Thomson.
Inner ring: spellings · middle: nicknames and forms · outer: across languages.
Around the world
Thompson has relatives in 4 languages.
9 related names in 4 languages. Point at a dot, or tab to the map and use the arrow keys.
Nicknames & forms 8
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Spellings & scripts 2
The same name written differently, including transliterations into other scripts.
Across languages 3
Equivalents and cognates in other languages, plus older forms it grew from.
People named Thompson
- Thompson MannAmerican swimmer (1942–2019)
- Thompson CapperBritish First World War general (1863–1915)
- Thompson CampbellAmerican politician (1811–1868)
- Thompson CooperEnglish journalist, man of letters, and biographer1837–1904
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Thompson, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Sampson
Sampson is a masculine given name from Hebrew. It is used in English and Middle English.
>99% boys
Hebron
“born of the community; a good friend”
>99% boys
Enoc
“experienced” · “one who is dedicated to God”
>99% boys
Efraim
“fruitful” · “one who is fertile; productive”
>99% boys
Cain
“craftsman”
>99% boys
Tobias
“The Lord is good”
>99% boys
Gideon
“one who cuts down” · “a mighty warrior; one who fells trees”
>99% boys
Elnathan
“God has given”
>99% boys