Tom Waites

Name meaning, origin and global statistics

Tom Waites — rising ground
176K People worldwide
United States Most common in
1970s Peak popularity
Gender
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Tom Waites is a name that combines Germanic origins. The first name Tom is a masculine given name of Germanic origin. Tom is a masculine given name, often used as a diminutive of Thomas. In Germanic countries and Scandinavia, "Tom" is in use as a formal given name. The Gaelic-Cymric name Tom means "rising ground" or "eminent". In literature and popular culture, it is often used to represent "an ordinary man". The name Tôm also exists as an independent Aramaic name. The surname Waites: Addie Waites Hunton (1866–1943), American activist Brian Waites (1940–2025), English golfer Cole Waites (born 1998), American baseball player George Waites (1938–2000), English footballer Harry Waites, English football coach Keisha Waites (born 1972), American politician Luigi Waites (1927–2010), American jazz drummer and vibraphonist Margaret C. Waites (1883–1923), American classical scholar and college professor Richard Waites (1951–2016), American psychologist Scott Waites (born 1977), English darts player Thomas G. Waites (born 1955), American actor Tom is a distinctive first name, carried by approximately 176K people globally, with the highest concentration in United States. The name Tom reached peak popularity in the 1970s, reflecting the naming trends of that era.

Etymology & Origin

First Name: Tom

Meaning: rising ground

Germanic

Tom is a masculine given name, often used as a diminutive of Thomas. In Germanic countries and Scandinavia, "Tom" is in use as a formal given name. The Gaelic-Cymric name Tom means "rising ground" or "eminent". In literature and popular culture, it is often used to represent "an ordinary man". The name Tôm also exists as an independent Aramaic name.

Surname: Waites

English

Addie Waites Hunton (1866–1943), American activist Brian Waites (1940–2025), English golfer Cole Waites (born 1998), American baseball player George Waites (1938–2000), English footballer Harry Waites, English football coach Keisha Waites (born 1972), American politician Luigi Waites (1927–2010), American jazz drummer and vibraphonist Margaret C. Waites (1883–1923), American classical scholar and college professor Richard Waites (1951–2016), American psychologist Scott Waites (born 1977), English darts player Thomas G. Waites (born 1955), American actor

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Geographic Distribution

The first name Tom is distributed across the globe, with the highest concentrations in the following countries:

United States 52%
United Kingdom 27%
Australia 12%
Canada 9%

Popularity Over Time

Popularity of the name Tom by decade, based on birth registration data:

1900s
1910s
1920s
1930s
1940s
1950s
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s
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Notable People Named Tom Waites

People listed above share this name. Listed for informational purposes only. Source: Wikipedia.

Numerology

According to Pythagorean numerology, each letter in a name carries a numerical value. Here are the key numbers for Tom Waites:

8
Expression Number

Ambition and material success. Represents power, business acumen and the drive to achieve significant goals.

3
Soul Urge Number

Creativity and self-expression. Associated with artistic flair, optimism and sociability — a natural communicator.

5
Personality Number

Freedom and adaptability. A dynamic, versatile personality that embraces change and seeks new experiences.

Numerology is a cultural tradition for exploring symbolism in names. Results are for entertainment purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the origin of the first name Tom?
The first name Tom originates from Germanic. Tom is a masculine given name, often used as a diminutive of Thomas. In Germanic countries and Scandinavia, "Tom" is in use as a formal given name. The Gaelic-Cymric name Tom means "rising ground" or "eminent". In literature and popular culture, it is often used to represent "an ordinary man". The name Tôm also exists as an independent Aramaic name.
When was Tom most popular?
The name Tom reached its peak popularity during the 1970s.
What is the origin of the surname Waites?
The surname Waites originates from English. Addie Waites Hunton (1866–1943), American activist Brian Waites (1940–2025), English golfer Cole Waites (born 1998), American baseball player George Waites (1938–2000), English footballer Harry Waites, English football coach Keisha Waites (born 1972), American politician Luigi Waites (1927–2010), American jazz drummer and vibraphonist Margaret C. Waites (1883–1923), American classical scholar and college professor Richard Waites (1951–2016), American psychologist Scott Waites (born 1977), English darts player Thomas G. Waites (born 1955), American actor
What are the origins of the name Tom Waites?
The name Tom Waites combines two different traditions: the first name Tom has Germanic roots, while the surname Waites originates from English.
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