Thompson Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The surname Thompson originates from the Old English name Thomas, meaning 'son of Thomas.' It has evolved through various languages and forms, retaining its connection to the biblical figure Saint Thomas. Thompson is commonly perceived as a traditional and reliable surname, with notable individuals bearing the name.
The name Thompson is most popular in Georgia, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Alpha generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Thompson has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Thompson' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1563rd out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1729th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 1807th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 2868th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 3038th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 3316th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 2568th out of 23106 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 22160th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Thompson' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Thompson"
Pronunciation
/ˈtɒmpsən/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The surname Thompson is derived from the given name Thomas, which originates from the Aramaic name 'Te'oma' meaning 'twin.' It was popularized through the New Testament due to Saint Thomas, one of the twelve apostles.
Meaning
son of Thomas
Language Evolution
Thomas (Latin), Thomás (Greek), Thompson (Middle English)
Historical Usage
The surname Thompson became common in England after the Norman Conquest in the 11th century and saw significant use in the 19th century due to increased mobility and record-keeping.
Variants & Derivatives
Tomson, Tomkins, Thomason
Modern Popularity & Image
Thompson is widely regarded as a traditional surname, often associated with reliability and family heritage. It remains a popular surname in English-speaking countries.
Famous People
Katherine Thompson (author), W. C. Thompson (politician), Eddie Thompson (entrepreneur)
Explore More Thompson Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Thompson"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Thompson"
"Thompson" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1563rd of 7545 | 361 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1729th of 6773 | 316 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 1807th of 7552 | 357 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 2868th of 10718 | 196 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 3038th of 16616 | 302 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 3316th of 24088 | 473 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 2568th of 23106 | 609 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 22160th of 30306 | 18 |
Regional Popularity of "Thompson" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - |
90.19% 2134th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - |
95.07% 2237th/2353 |
73.11% 1131st/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - |
43.56% 2752nd/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- |
76.12% 3931st/5164 |
54.75% 4004th/7313 |
50.27% 3752nd/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
79.99% 3187th/3984 |
73.95% 3318th/4487 |
36.57% 2495th/6822 |
50.32% 3158th/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Thompson" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Thompson"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Thompson" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.