I have a 3 y.o. son, and he is wild about trains. We’ve been careful not to feed him a steady diet of Thomas the Tank Engine – in fact, he’s only recently discovered the other Little Blue Engine That Could. But as I watch the show – over and over and over again – I can’t help but note that Thos and his fellow engines have appealing monikers.

First, there’s Thomas himself. A saint’s name, a surname, one of those rare choices that can translate into any language (Tamihana in Maori; Tuomas in Finnish!) and a perpetual Top 100 choice.

In fact, until 2006, it had spent better than a century in the Top 50. (It charted at #51 that year.)

If you’re a trainspotter, naming your Thomas fan’s new little brother, or just looking for a boy’s name with a built-in birthday party theme, here are others, plucked from the series, to consider:

  • Edward
  • Henry
  • James
  • Oliver
  • Fergus
  • Arthur
  • Duncan
  • Peter (though the engine’s full name is Peter Sam)

And while the Thomasverse is remarkably male, there are even a few choices for girls:

  • Annie
  • Clarabel
  • Henrietta
  • Daisy

Though it must be said that the female characters are rarely the main focus of the action.

So there you have it. All aboard!

About Abby Sandel

Whether you're naming a baby, or just all about names, you've come to the right place! Appellation Mountain is a haven for lovers of obscure gems and enduring classics alike.

Read More About Me

You May Also Like:

What do you think?

No Comments

  1. This is really interesting 🙂 On the male list, the only one I like & would use (I used to love it & then grew out of it – it’s now SOLELY a middle name option ) is James.Such a handsome name. Edward I can now tolerate, though Ed I don’t like. Pieter is WAY too popular too much of a ’60s name where I live & Peter is just there for me. A bit dull, to be honest. I would have possible gone for Duncan, except for the ‘dunkin part & there’s a Duncan on a soapie here, so I don’t want that

    I’m not really a fan of Anne/Anna/Annie etc & would never use them. They’re not bad & there’s nothing wrong with them – just not me. Henrietta does not appeal to me at all. The name, the style & the idea of a Henrietta to me is so opposite to me as a person & the type of vibe that a child of mine would be raised in. Clarabel I don’t mind & is sweet, though Clarabelle is better to me (dislike it when the names are spelled Annabel etc, it doesn’t look ‘complete’). I just don’t like Clara enough to ever consider it. Daisy I do like, though it had to grow on me. I wouldn’t use it, though I think it’s cute.Very British 🙂

    Very interesting post

    Reply