Meaning
The meaning of Bartholomew
Bartholomew is usually explained as son of Talmai. It is more of a patronymic form than a simple virtue meaning, which is why its Christian importance comes mainly from its apostolic place.
Name story
A formal apostolic name
Bartholomew appears in the lists of the twelve apostles. The New Testament does not give him a long individual story, but his inclusion among the twelve gives the name real Christian weight.
Some traditions connect Bartholomew with Nathanael, though that identification is not stated directly in every Gospel list.
Naming use
Distinctive but historic
Bartholomew is much less common than Peter, James, or John, but it has a long Christian history and a dignified sound.
For families, it may work best when a formal apostolic name with the friendly short form Bart is appealing.
Sound
How to pronounce Bartholomew
- Phonetic
- bar-THOL-uh-myoo
- IPA
- /bɑɹˈθɒləmjuː/
4 syllables · stress: bar-THOL-uh-myoo · ends in a vowel
Forms
Variants and nicknames
Alternate spellings
- Bartolomeo
- Bartolome
- Bartholomaeus
- Bartolomeu
Short forms and nicknames
- Bart
- Bartie
- Tolly
Languages
Bartholomew in other languages
- Greek
- ΒαρθολομαῖοςBartholomaios
- Latin
- Bartholomaeus
- Spanish
- Bartolomé
- French
- Barthélemy
- German
- Bartholomäus
- Italian
- Bartolomeo
- Portuguese
- Bartolomeu
- Russian
- ВарфоломейVarfolomey
- Polish
- Bartłomiej
Christian background
Christian and biblical background
Bartholomew has been remembered in Christian tradition as one of the apostles. Its value lies in apostolic heritage rather than a widely known narrative episode.
Scripture
The biblical figure
Bartholomew is named among Jesus' twelve apostles in the Synoptic Gospels and Acts.
Bearers
Notable people named Bartholomew
biblical
Bartholomew the ApostleOne of the Twelve Apostles, often identified with Nathanael in the Gospel of John, traditionally martyred in Armeniahistorical
Bartolomé de las CasasSpanish Dominican friar and historian who defended the rights of the indigenous peoples of the Americas, 1484 to 1566historical
Bartolomeu DiasPortuguese navigator and the first European to round the Cape of Good Hope, around 1450 to 1500historical
Bartholomew RobertsWelsh pirate known as Black Bart, the most successful pirate of the Golden Age by ships captured, 1682 to 1722modern
Bartholomew I of ConstantinopleEcumenical Patriarch of Constantinople since 1991, born 1940
Saint
Saint Bartholomew the Apostle
- Traditions
- Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican
- Patron of
- Armenia, leather workers, tanners, bookbinders, plasterers
Tradition holds that Bartholomew brought the gospel to Armenia and was martyred there by flaying, which is why he is patron of leather workers and tanners.
Naming history
Naming tradition and history
Bartholomew has been used across Christian cultures in forms such as Bartolomeo and Bartolome. In English it feels formal, rare, and historic.
Recent US use
Bartholomew in recent US use
- Rank in 2025
- #3093
- Peak rank
- #481 in 1885
- Recent trend
- rising over the last 5 years
- Years in the SSA records
- 143 (since 1880)
Source: US Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880-2025.
Sibling fit
Sibling name suggestions
For families
For families looking at Bartholomew
Bartholomew may suit parents who want a substantial apostolic name that is unusual but clearly Christian.
Common questions
What does Bartholomew mean?
Bartholomew is usually understood as son of Talmai.
Is Bartholomew a biblical name?
Yes. Bartholomew is one of the twelve apostles.
Is Bart a nickname for Bartholomew?
Yes. Bart is a common short form.
Sources
Sources for Bartholomew
- A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, Bauer, Danker, Arndt, and GingrichSupports: etymology; son of Talmai.
- The Oxford Dictionary of Saints, David Hugh Farmer (5th edition)Supports: Saint Bartholomew the Apostle; one of the Twelve; feast day (August 24).
Last reviewed July 19, 2026. See our methodology, or report an error on the corrections page.
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