トーマス
Your name
Thomas
in Japanese
The default way to write Thomas in Japanese is トーマス — a phonetic katakana spelling that captures the sound and signals, instantly to a Japanese reader, that the name comes from elsewhere. But katakana is only one of three answers Japanese gives to a foreign name.
Below, we show all three. First the official katakana. Then a set of meaning kanji chosen to express what Thomas actually means at the root — From Aramaic 'Toma' (תאומא) meaning 'twin'. Finally a set of ateji, the playful tradition where the kanji match the sound and tell their own small story underneath.
Katakana — Phonetic
How Thomas is most commonly written in Japanese — used on official documents, business cards, and signage.
Meaning Kanji — Etymology
"Thomas" means: From Aramaic 'Toma' (תאומא) meaning 'twin'. Originally the name of the apostle Thomas (Doubting Thomas), it carries connotations of duality, pairing, and reflection.
双真
Souma
双 (sou) = pair/twin, capturing the original 'twin' meaning; 真 (ma) = truth/genuine, evoking authenticity and sincerity
対真
Taima
対 (tai) = pair/counterpart, reflecting the twin etymology; 真 (ma) = truth/reality, suggesting a true counterpart or mirrored soul
双志
Souji
双 (sou) = twin/double, honoring the Aramaic root; 志 (ji/shi) = will/aspiration, implying doubled determination and purpose
Ateji — Sound + Meaning
Where the sound matches and the kanji tell their own small story. The Edo scholars and modern manga authors both played this game.
斗摩須
Toomasu
斗 (to) = dipper/Big Dipper constellation, mystical and celestial; 摩 (ma) = polish/rub, suggesting refinement; 須 (su) = must/essential, grounding the name with necessity
永真朱
Toomasu
永 (to, poetic reading) = eternity/forever; 真 (ma) = truth/genuine; 朱 (su) = vermilion red, a sacred shrine color — together: 'eternal true crimson,' cool and striking
兎雅栖
Toomasu
兎 (to, playful reading) = rabbit, cute and lively; 雅 (ma, elegant reading) = elegance/grace; 栖 (su) = nest/dwelling — together: 'graceful rabbit's home,' whimsical and charming
Not sure which form to use?
Katakana, meaning kanji, and ateji each belong to a different part of Japanese life — official paperwork, calligraphy and gifts, signatures and wordplay. Our full guide walks through when to reach for each one.
Read the guide: the three ways to write your name in Japanese →
Seven, drawn