Bartholomäus

Bartholomäus is a masculine given name that has been common in German-speaking regions. It is the German form of Bartholomew, which derives from the Aramaic Bar-Talmai, meaning “son of Talmai.” The name reached German via Latin Bartholomaeus and Greek Bartholomaios and has appeared in various forms since the Middle Ages.

In German culture, Bartholomäus has been used in religious and secular contexts alike. It has appeared in church calendars, baptismal records, and as a traditional given name carried into early modern and modern times. The form often remains associated with a sense of historic or religious heritage.

Religious significance is tied most closely to Saint Bartholomew the Apostle, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus in Christian tradition. He is commemorated in Western Christianity on August 24 (Bartholomew’s Day). Various legends and hagiographies about his missionary activity and martyrdom exist, including traditional accounts of travels in distant lands, though details differ across sources.

Notable bearers of the name include Saint Bartholomew the Apostle as the principal namesake, along with numerous clergy, scholars, and figures in German history who bore Bartholomäus. Today, the name remains a historic option in German-speaking countries, often chosen for its classical resonance and its connection to Christian tradition.