Thomas in Chinese
Thomas in Chinese is 托马斯 (Tuō Mǎ Sī).
- Origin
- Aramaic
- Meaning
- twin
The name traces back to Aramaic sources, where it is usually explained as "twin". It has been in continuous US use since Social Security records begin in 1880, peaking in the 1950s.
3 ways to write Thomas
phonetic
Following the sound of your name
托马斯
Tuō Mǎ Sī
The standard transliteration of Thomas: 托 (tuō, "to entrust; support"), 马 (mǎ, "horse"), 斯 (sī, "this (phonetic 's')"). Chosen for sound, it is instantly recognizable as this name.
Why these characters?
Mandarin has no consonant clusters, so the 2-syllable English name is spread over 3 characters: 托 tuō + 马 mǎ + 斯 sī. The tone contour is 1-3-1 (high level, dipping, high level).
Character breakdown
21 strokes total (simplified)- 托
tuō
Tone 1 · 6 strokes (simplified)
to entrust; support
- 马
mǎ
Tone 3 · 3 strokes (simplified)
horse
- 斯
sī
Tone 1 · 12 strokes (simplified)
this (phonetic 's')
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
Loading stroke guides…
meaningful
Chosen for meaning and association
博文
Bó Wén
Inspired by "twin": 博 (bó, "broad, learned") + 文 (wén, "literature, culture; refined"), expressing elegance and good character.
Why these characters?
Thomas's meaning ("twin") has no direct Chinese equivalent, so 博 (broad, learned) and 文 (literature, culture; refined) express elegance and good character instead.
Character breakdown
16 strokes total (simplified)- 博
bó
Tone 2 · 12 strokes (simplified)
broad, learned
- 文
wén
Tone 2 · 4 strokes (simplified)
literature, culture; refined
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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balanced
A balance of sound and meaning
托子
Tuō Zǐ
托 (tuō, "to entrust; support") + 子 (zǐ, "son, child; master (honorific)"): echoes the sound of the English name while carrying meaning.
Why these characters?
It keeps 托 (tuō), the same opening character as the transliteration 托马斯, for the "tho" sound, and replaces the rest with 子 ("son, child; master (honorific)") so the whole reads as a real given name.
Character breakdown
9 strokes total (simplified)- 托
tuō
Tone 1 · 6 strokes (simplified)
to entrust; support
- 子
zǐ
Tone 3 · 3 strokes (simplified)
son, child; master (honorific)
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
Loading stroke guides…
Recent US usage of Thomas
In the Social Security Administration’s 2020–2025 snapshot, Thomas ranked 43 among names recorded for boys, with 39,782 registrations in that group across the period. These are US birth-name records, rather than search counts or a ranking of Chinese names. The period covers part of a decade; it is not a final ranking for the whole 2020s.
Compare the dated figures in the SSA’s official 2020s name table. This snapshot was checked on 2026-10-15; any historical figures on this page describe their own stated period.
Popularity in the US
US Social Security records show 2,304,948 boys named Thomas since 1880, with the high point in 1952 (48,655 births) and the busiest decade being the 1950s. Between 1990 and 2017 it slipped, from #26 to #48 among boys.
- Peak year
- 1952
- Peak decade
- 1950s
- First year
- 1880
- Total since 1880
- 2,304,948
More About Thomas in Chinese
The Chinese translation of Thomas offers multiple styles to suit different preferences. Whether you prefer a phonetic transliteration that sounds like your name, or a meaningful interpretation that captures the essence of Thomas, you'll find options that work for you.
If you're exploring Chinese names for boys, you might also be interested in Alexander in Chinese, Benjamin in Chinese, and Jason in Chinese. Each name has its own unique character combinations and meanings.
Other popular choices include Kevin in Chinese, Zachary in Chinese, and Brian in Chinese, each with beautiful traditional and simplified character options.
When choosing Chinese characters for Thomas, consider whether you want:
- Phonetic accuracy: Characters that sound like Thomas to native Chinese speakers
- Meaningful symbolism: Characters chosen for their beautiful meanings and cultural significance
- Balanced approach: A combination of sound and meaning that works well in both languages
Browse our complete A-Z index of Chinese names to explore more options, or start with our curated list of popular names in Chinese to see what others are choosing.
Frequently asked questions
How do you write Thomas in Chinese?
托马斯 (Tuō Mǎ Sī), or 託馬斯 in traditional script. This is the conventional transliteration used in Chinese media.
Is there a Chinese name for Thomas with real meaning?
Try 博文 (Bó Wén): broad, learned + literature, culture; refined, inspired by "twin". For something that still sounds like Thomas, 托子 (Tuō Zǐ) is a middle ground.
How many strokes does 托马斯 have?
21 strokes in simplified form and 32 in traditional; per character: 托 6, 马 3, 斯 12.