NameCensus.

UK name, mostly boys

Toma

A feminine name of Native American origin meaning "morning twilight".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Also recorded as a girls' name in the UK, with 20 girls.

Toma is mostly registered for boys in the UK records. People looking for Toma popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3688, with 5 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2013, with 8 births.

This profile covers 75 England and Wales registrations across 15 recorded years from 2004 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

The latest count is about 63% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 75 living people in the UK are called Toma. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2025 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Toma ranked #3688 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 5 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2013, when 8 boys were registered as Toma.
  • Toma is also recorded for girls, but the boys side is the larger UK variant in these records.
  • About 75 living people in the UK are estimated to have Toma as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
  • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 78.9% of Toma registrations are for boys.

Latest rank (E&W)

#3688

2024

Births in 2024

5

Latest year

Peak year

2013

8 births

Estimated living

75

2026

Gender

Boy and girl registrations for Toma

In England and Wales birth records, Toma has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 78.9% of registrations are for boys and 21.1% are for girls.

These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.

79% boys
21% girls
Boys75 (78.9%)Girls20 (21.1%)

Toma registered for boys

  • Ranked #3,688 in 2024
  • 5 boys registered in 2024
  • Peak: 2013 (8 births)

Toma registered for girls

  • Ranked #4,684 in 2018
  • 4 girls registered in 2018
  • Peak: 2008 (5 births)

Meaning

What does Toma mean?

The name Toma has its origins in the ancient Greek language, tracing back to the Byzantine era. It is derived from the Greek word "tomos," meaning "volume" or "book," suggesting a connection to knowledge, wisdom, and scholarly pursuits.

During the Byzantine period, the name Toma was commonly used among Greek scholars, scribes, and intellectuals, reflecting their reverence for learning and literary traditions. It gained popularity as a name bestowed upon individuals who dedicated their lives to the pursuit of knowledge and the preservation of ancient texts.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Toma can be found in the writings of the renowned Byzantine scholar and theologian, John Damascene (676-749 AD). He made references to a learned monk named Toma, who was renowned for his extensive knowledge of classical literature and philosophy.

Throughout the Middle Ages, the name Toma appeared in various historical records and chronicles, often associated with individuals who made significant contributions to the intellectual and cultural life of their respective communities. One notable bearer of this name was Toma Aquinas (1225-1274), an Italian Dominican friar, philosopher, and theologian, who became known as the "Doctor Angelicus" and is widely regarded as one of the most influential thinkers in the history of the Catholic Church.

During the Renaissance period, the name Toma continued to be associated with scholars and intellectuals, particularly in Italy and other parts of Europe influenced by the revival of classical learning. Toma Campanella (1568-1639), an Italian Renaissance philosopher, poet, and political theorist, was a prominent figure who bore this name.

In the realm of literature, the name Toma has been immortalized through the works of renowned authors. One such example is Toma Kyd (1558-1594), an English dramatist and playwright, best known for his influential Elizabethan tragedy, "The Spanish Tragedy."

Another notable figure bearing the name Toma was Toma Moro (1478-1535), an English Renaissance scholar, lawyer, and philosopher, who served as Lord Chancellor of England under King Henry VIII. He is renowned for his work "Utopia," a seminal work of political philosophy that influenced generations of thinkers and social reformers.

These examples illustrate the rich historical legacy of the name Toma, which has been closely tied to the pursuit of knowledge, intellectual discourse, and cultural achievements across various periods and regions.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Toma over time

The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Toma in England and Wales, from 2004 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Toma, the clearest high point is 2013. The latest England and Wales figure is 5 births in 2024, compared with 8 at the peak.

Babies born per year

BoysGirls
02468200420142024

Decades

Toma by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Toma was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
2020s #3215 29 5
2010s #3605 40 8
2000s #3852 6 2

Related

Names similar to Toma

FAQ

Toma: questions and answers

How popular is the name Toma in the UK right now?

In 2024, Toma was ranked #3688 for boys in England and Wales, with 5 births registered.

When was Toma most popular?

The peak year on record was 2013, with 8 babies registered as Toma in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Toma?

A feminine name of Native American origin meaning "morning twilight".

How many people are called Toma in the UK?

A total of 75 babies have been registered as Toma across the 15 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.