Meaning & History
Tomass is the Latvian form of Thomas, a name of Aramaic origin meaning "twin" (from Teʾoma). First recorded in Latvia in 1292, Tomass has been in consistent use as a male given name. According to the Population Register of Latvia, there were 1,042 persons named Tomass as of May 21, 2010.
Etymology
Tomass derives from the Greek Thomas, which itself comes from the Aramaic Teʾoma, meaning "twin." In the New Testament, Thomas is the apostle who initially doubted Jesus's resurrection until he saw the wounds himself. The name spread through Christian communities, becoming especially popular in Europe after the Norman conquest and the veneration of Saint Thomas Becket. In Latvian, the name was adapted as Tomass, reflecting local pronunciation (IPA: [ˈtɔmasː]). A common variant in Latvia is Toms.
Usage and Distribution
Tomass is primarily used in Latvia, where it has been recorded since the 13th century. It is a given name for males, often shortened to Toms. The name's popularity has remained steady, with over a thousand bearers in contemporary Latvia.
Related Names
Other regional forms of Thomas include Thoma (Albanian), Tomàs (Catalan), Toma (Serbian), and Tomica (Serbian diminutive). The root name Thomas itself has been borne by numerous notable figures, including Thomas Aquinas, Thomas Jefferson, and Thomas Edison.
- Meaning: Twin
- Origin: Aramaic (via Greek and Latin)
- Type: Given Name
- Usage Regions: Latvia
Related Names
Sources: Wiktionary — Tomass