Bartolomej is the Slovak and Croatian form of the name Bartholomew, derived from the Ancient Greek Βαρθολομαῖος (Bartholomaios). This Greek name itself originates from an Aramaic patronymic meaning "son of Talmai". Etymology The Aramaic name Bar-Talmai (בר תלמי) combines bar, meaning "son of," with the name Talmai, a Hebrew name meaning "furrow" or "ploughman." The form entered Greek through the early Christian tradition and later spread to Latin and various European languages. In Slovak, the name is pronounced IPA(key): /ˈbartɔɫɔmɛj/, and it retains much of the original biblical spelling. Biblical and Historical Significance In the New Testament, Bartholomew is listed as one of the twelve apostles, often identified with Nathanael. According to tradition, he preached in India and later traveled to Armenia, where he was martyred by being flayed alive (skinned). As a result, Bartholomew became a revered saint in the Catholic, Orthodox, and Anglican communions, and his cult was widespread during the Middle Ages, aiding the name's popularity across Europe. Geographic Distribution and Usage Bartolomej is particularly common in Slovakia and Croatia, though it also appears in other Slavic regions where Catholicism has been historically influential. Its usage declined somewhat in the modern era but remains a traditional, formally given name. Related Forms Common recognizable variants exist across many European languages, including Bartholomew (English), Bartoloměj (Czech),