EtymologyBartholomäus is the German form of Bartholomew, a name of Aramaic origin meaning "son of Talmai." The name entered the Greek New Testament as Bartholomaios and was later adopted into Latin and various European languages. In Germany, the name became established through the veneration of the apostle Saint Bartholomew.Religious and Historical ContextSaint Bartholomew is one of the twelve apostles of Jesus, mentioned in all three synoptic gospels and the Acts of the Apostles. According to tradition, he preached the gospel in India and Armenia, where he was martyred by flaying (being skinned alive). This dramatic story made him a popular saint in medieval Europe, and his feast day on August 24 has been observed since early Christianity. In German-speaking regions, churches dedicated to Saint Bartholomew (e.g., the Bartholomäuskirche in many towns) helped spread the name's usage.Notable BearersBartholomäus Aich (17th century), South-German organist and composerBartholomäus Bernhardi of Feldkirchen (1487–1551), rector and professor at the University of WittenbergBartholomäus Brötzner (born 1957), Austrian wrestlerBartholomäus Gesius (c. 1562–1613), German theologian and hymn writerBartholomäus Herder (1774–1839), founder of the publishing firm Verlag HerderBartholomäus Hopfer (1628–1699), German painterBartholomäus Kalb (born 1949), German politicianBartholomäus Keckermann (c. 1572–1608), Calvinist theologian and philosopherBartholomäus Kilian (1630–1696), German engraverRelated FormsEquivalents in other languages include Bartholomew (English), Bartholomeus (Dutch), Bartomeu (Catalan), Bartolomej (Slovak), and Bartol (Croatian), among others.Meaning: Son of TalmaiOrigin: Aramaic, via Greek BartholomaiosType: First nameUsage: GermanRegions: Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and other German-speaking areas