Taber
Primarily a boy's name of Old French origin with 413 recorded births. Also given to 28 girls.
Meaning & Origin
A surname.
Taber is a boy's and girl's baby name of Old French origin, from the Old French tabour meaning 'drummer' or 'one who plays the tabor,' a small drum used in medieval music and festivities.
Taber has a crisp, one-syllable punch that fits naturally among modern surname-style names like Tanner, Tucker, and Taber itself. The musical etymology gives it an unexpectedly artistic depth beneath its rugged exterior.
EtymologyShow more
The ending of a name often carries more etymological information than the beginning. Taber's final sounds are active, energetic — often found in English occupational-style names. In English-language naming, masculine names frequently end on harder consonants or closed syllables, creating a sense of decisiveness and strength. Taber softens that pattern, giving it a more versatile feel.
Explore the ending-based name pages on this site to find names that share Taber's suffix pattern — names with similar endings often share a style and era, even when they come from different linguistic backgrounds.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Taber has 44+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1967.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 52 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 126 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 100 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 53 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 63 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 19 | — |
The Story of Taber
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 2003, Taber is a name that defines a generation. Boys named Taber are most likely born between 1993 and 2013.
How rare is Taber?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Taber is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1967, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 2000s with 126 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Taber by the numbers
- Would fill 9 school buses
- Meeting one Taber per day would take 1.1 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(44 years, 1967–2015)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 6 | #11905 |
| 2014 | 5 | #13812 |
| 2013 | 12 | #6964 |
| 2012 | 6 | #12087 |
| 2011 | 7 | #10636 |
| 2010 | 16 | #5698 |
| 2009 | 9 | #8901 |
| 2008 | 13 | #6710 |
| 2007 | 11 | #7522 |
| 2006 | 15 | #5747 |
| 2005 | 9 | #8213 |
| 2004 | 15 | #5457 |
| 2003 | 17 | #4783 |
| 2002 | 9 | #7554 |
| 2001 | 13 | #5629 |
| 2000 | 15 | #5009 |
| 1999 | 10 | #6451 |
| 1998 | 11 | #5791 |
| 1997 | 13 | #4921 |
| 1996 | 7 | #7868 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Taber as a Girl's Name
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Taber has also been given to 28 girls in the U.S. since 1981.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Taber a boy's or girl's name?
When was Taber most popular?
How popular is the name Taber?
Can Taber be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1967–2015