Bartholomew
Bartholomew Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity
/bɑɹ.ˈθɑl.ə.mju/
Meaning of Bartholomew: Bartholomew is the English form of the Greek Bartholomaios, which renders the Aramaic patronymic bar Talmai meaning “son of Talmai.” The name Talmai itself derives from Hebrew meaning “furrow” or “ridge of earth,” associated with plowing.
Making Bartholomew’s full meaning “son of the plowman” or “son of the one who makes furrows.” Talmai was the name of an ancient Canaanite king mentioned in the Book of Joshua, giving the patronymic historical depth within the Hebrew Bible tradition.
Saint Bartholomew is one of the Twelve Apostles named in the New Testament Gospels. He is commonly identified with Nathanael, the disciple from Cana of Galilee whom Philip brought to Jesus in John 1:45–51.
What Does Bartholomew Mean? Origin & Etymology
According to tradition, Bartholomew carried the Gospel to Armenia, India, and Ethiopia, and was martyred by being flayed alive in Armenia—making him the patron saint of tanners and bookbinders.
His feast day is August 24. The St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre in France on August 24, 1572, was named for the saint’s day on which it occurred.
Bartholomew peaked in US SSA records around 1910 and has seen modest revival alongside other heavyweight Apostle names—Thaddeus, Matthias, Nathanael. The short form Bart is more commonly used in daily life; Bart Simpson of The Simpsons (1989–present) gave the short form significant cultural visibility.
For parents who want an Apostle name with absolute distinction—Bartholomew is never in the top 1000—the name offers the longest of the Apostle names and 2,000 years of Christian tradition. Further reading: etymology records and US popularity records from SSA.
Numerology & Symbolism of Bartholomew
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Bartholomew – Similar Names & Alternatives
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Frequently Asked Questions about Bartholomew
What does Bartholomew mean?
Bartholomew is the English form of the Greek Bartholomaios, the Greek form of an Aramaic name meaning son of Talmai or son of the furrows, from bar (son) and Talmai (an Aramaic personal name). Bartholomew was one of the 12 apostles.
How popular is Bartholomew?
Bartholomew is rare in the US as a given name, used primarily by Catholic families honoring the apostle. The short form Bart is much more common than the full form.
Is Bartholomew a boy or girl name?
Bartholomew is exclusively a masculine name. The apostle was male, and all standard forms of the name are masculine.
What nicknames does Bartholomew have?
Bartholomew offers Bart, Barty, and Barry as nicknames. Bart is the most common short form, used as a standalone name more often than as an obvious reference to Bartholomew.