Bartolo is the Italian short form of Bartholomew. The name Bartholomew itself derives from the Greek Βαρθολομαῖος (Bartholomaios), which is a transliteration of the Aramaic name bar-Talmai, meaning "son of Talmai" (or "son of the furrow"). In the New Testament, Bartholomew is listed as one of the twelve apostles, and he is traditionally identified with Nathanael. According to Christian tradition, Bartholomew preached the gospel in India and Armenia, where he was martyred by being flayed alive. Cultural and Linguistic Context In Italian, the short form Bartolo is a common diminutive or nickname for people given the full biblical name Bartolomeo. It follows a pattern common in Romance languages where names of Semitic or Greek origin are adapted to local phonological and morphological norms. The use of -olo as a suffix is characteristic of Italian derivational morphology, often conveying a sense of familiarity or endearment. While Bartolomeo is the formal Italian form (from Latin Bartholomaeus), Bartolo is used independently as a given name in its own right. Notable Bearers Several notable individuals have carried the name Bartolo: Bartolo Colón (born 1973), a Dominican professional baseball pitcher known for his many seasons in Major League Baseball (particularly with the New York Mets) and his distinctive personality. Bartolo di Fredi (1330–1410), an Italian painter of the Sienese School, who contributed to the Gothic style with works such as the Adoration of the Shepherds. Bartolo Longo (1841–1926), a Catholic saint and a former satanist who converted to Catholicism and became a lay Dominican, known for his devotion to the Rosary and his work with the poor in Pompei, Italy. He was canonized in 1994. Bartolo Musil, an Austrian rock musician best known as a drummer for several bands. Bartolo Portuondo (1893–1981), a Cuban former baseball player posthumously inducted into the Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame. In Spanish-speaking countries, the equivalent Bartolo is often used as a diminutive of Bartolomé; note the Spanish form San Bartolo is also a common place name (e.g., a district in Guatemala). Related Names The feminine form in Italian is Bartolomea (now rare). Cognates in other languages include: Bartholomeus (Dutch, late Latin), Bartomeu (Catalan), Bartol (Croatian), and Bartolomej (Slovak). The root name Bartholomew (English) remains the most widely used international form. Summary Meaning: Son of Tolmai (from Aramaic via Greek) Origin: Italian short form of Bartholomew; ultimately Aramaic/Hebrew Type: Diminutive / Given Name Usage Regions: Italy (and among Italian diaspora)