Tadas is a Lithuanian masculine given name, a form of Thaddeus.Etymology and OriginsTadas originates from the Lithuanian adaptation of Thaddeus. The root name Thaddeus itself comes from the Greek Thaddaios (Θαδδαῖος), which is a Hellenized version of the Aramaic name Ṯaddai. The Aramaic form may derive from the word taḏ, meaning "heart" or "breast," or it could represent the Aramaic rendition of a Greek name such as Theodore ("gift of God"). In Christian tradition, Thaddeus is listed among the twelve apostles in the Gospel of Matthew; however, other New Testament passages refer to Jude in his place, suggesting that Thaddeus and Jude denote the same individual.Cultural Significance in LithuaniaIn Lithuania, Tadas is a well-established given name with enduring popularity. It reflects the broader onomastic practice in Baltic countries of adopting and localizing biblical and saint names. The name carries connotations of devotion and faith, drawing from its apostolic associations.Notable BearersTadas Ivanauskas (1882–1970) – Lithuanian zoologist and founder of the Tadas Ivanauskas Zoological Museum in Kaunas.Tadas Gražiūnas (1970–) – Lithuanian basketball player and sports administrator.Variants and Related FormsThe name Tadas has cognates in several languages, including Thaddaeus (Biblical Latin), Thaddeus (English), Thaddaios (Biblical Greek), Tadija (Serbian), Tadeáš (Slovak), and Tad (English diminutive).Key FactsMeaning: Derived from the Aramaic name Ṯaddai, possibly meaning "heart" or "breast" (or from the Greek Theodoros "gift of God")Origin: LithuanianType: Given nameUsage regions: Lithuania