Thompson
- Meaning
- Son of Tom or Thomas
- Origin
- English
Saved in this browser. No account needed.
What does Thompson mean?
Thompson means “Son of Tom or Thomas”.
Thompson is an English surname meaning son of Tom, with Tom serving as a short form of Thomas. Thomas has an older Aramaic meaning of twin, but the direct meaning of Thompson is the family relationship expressed by the surname. The p appears within the surname's spelling rather than adding another word to its meaning.
As a first name, Thompson can honor a Thomas or preserve a family surname from either side of a child's family. It offers a more explicit surname style than using Tom or Thomas alone. Thomson is a close spelling to compare, especially when family records are involved. The historical ending -son describes how the surname formed and does not determine who may carry it as a modern given name.
Nicknames & variations
Explore short forms, spellings, and related names.
Variations & related forms
Related forms and spellings recorded for this name.
How popular is Thompson?
United States · 2025Explore how often Thompson is used and how its ranking has changed.
- US boys rank
- #2,359 2025 · #1 is most popular
- Boys named Thompson
- 59 Recorded births in 2025
- Change in births
- 37.2% More than 2024
Thompson over time
United States · Boys
Recorded births
Hover or tap the chart, or move the slider. You can also use the keyboard arrow keys.
Yearly data & usage
Rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys. The summary highlights boys, the most common recorded usage in 2025. Use the chart’s usage selector to explore both categories.
| Year | Usage | US rank | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Boys | #2,359 | 59 |
| 2025 | Girls | #17,051 | 5 |
| 2024 | Boys | #2,950 | 43 |
| 2024 | Girls | #17,474 | 5 |
| 2023 | Boys | #3,466 | 34 |
| 2022 | Boys | #2,643 | 51 |
| 2022 | Girls | #12,149 | 8 |
| 2021 | Boys | #2,298 | 61 |
| 2020 | Boys | #2,542 | 51 |
| 2019 | Boys | #2,288 | 61 |
| 2018 | Boys | #1,956 | 76 |
| 2017 | Boys | #2,380 | 55 |
| 2017 | Girls | #18,218 | 5 |
| 2016 | Boys | #2,512 | 51 |
| 2015 | Boys | #2,352 | 56 |
| 2014 | Boys | #3,084 | 37 |
Years reflect available birth records. Missing records do not mean zero births.
Names like Thompson
Explore the connection, then save your favorites to compare.
Thomas
Mostly boys- Meaning
- Twin
Listed as a related name to Thompson.
James
Mostly boys- Meaning
- Supplanter
Shares an origin with Thompson.
Jack
Mostly boys- Meaning
- God is gracious
Shares an origin with Thompson.
Hudson
Mostly boys- Meaning
- Hugh's son
Shares an origin with Thompson.
Julian
Mostly boys- Meaning
- Uncertain; proposed meanings include youthful or downy-bearded
Shares an origin with Thompson.
Cooper
Mostly boys- Meaning
- Barrel maker
Shares an origin with Thompson.
Found a few you like?
Save them, then compare up to four names in your shortlist.