Meaning: Its source is an Aramaic expression meaning "Twin."

Nickname For: Thomas

Popularity: The name Tommie ranked 478th in popularity for males of all ages in a sample of the 1990 US Census.

Though this name has fluctuated in use, it has been quietly present throughout the last century.

Narrative: Thomas was the name of one of Jesus' disciples. Some accounts say his full name was Judas Thomas (Judas the Twin), and a nickname was needed to distinguish him from Judas Iscariot.

Many Christians might be shocked to learn that some sects have taught that Thomas was the twin of Jesus himself.

The Biblical Thomas presents an unusual mixture of pessimism and zealous faith. He is called ''doubting Thomas'' because of an incident in the Acts. After the resurrection, he refuses to believe until he sees Jesus for himself. At their meeting, Thomas declares his faith. Jesus gently rejoins that it is better to believe without seeing.

Meaning: Its source is an Aramaic expression meaning "Twin."

Nickname For: Thomasin

Popularity: The name Tommie ranked 778th in popularity for females of all ages in a sample of the 1990 US Census.

Though this name has fluctuated in use, it has been quietly present throughout the last century.

Narrative: The original Greek form of this name, Didymos, began as a nickname for one of the twelve disciples of Jesus in the Christian scriptures. Other names based on the nicknames of disciples include Peter and Thaddeus.