Find out how popular the first name Thompson has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Thompson by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Thompson is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 99% of people named Thompson being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 34 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Thompson.

The history of the first name Thompson

The name Thompson is an English given name that originated as a surname derived from the occupation of a maker of thongs or straps. It is believed to have emerged in the late 12th or early 13th century, stemming from the Old English words "thwong" meaning strap or rope, and "mann" meaning man.

The earliest recorded use of Thompson as a surname dates back to the Hundred Rolls of 1273, where a William Thomasson is mentioned in Oxfordshire, England. As a given name, it began to be used in the 16th century, initially as a patronymic, with the son of a Thomas being called Thompson.

One of the earliest notable figures with the given name Thompson was Thompson Buck (c.1590-1634), an English navigator and explorer who accompanied Sir Thomas Roe on his voyage to India and the East Indies in 1615. He later published a detailed account of his travels titled "Relation of a Voyage to the East Indies."

Another significant historical figure with the name Thompson was Thompson Westcott (1668-1744), an English churchman and theologian who served as the Bishop of Bristol from 1727 until his death. He was known for his scholarly works on Christian doctrine and his efforts to promote education in his diocese.

In the realm of science, Thompson Rion (1794-1838) was an American chemist and mineralogist who made significant contributions to the study of minerals and their classification. He was one of the founding members of the American Association of Geologists and Naturalists.

The name Thompson also has a notable literary connection with Thompson Buchanan (1808-1841), an American poet and essayist who was part of the Transcendentalist movement. His works, such as "Outlines of Men, Women, and Things," explored themes of nature, spirituality, and the human condition.

Lastly, in the realm of music, Thompson Eugene Ruggles (1887-1959) was an American composer known for his innovative and experimental works. He was a pioneer of dissonant counterpoint and influenced the development of modern classical music in the United States.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Thompson was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Thompson, please contact us.

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