Is Tai a boy's or girl's name?

Tai is primarily a boy's name. It is also used as a girl's name, with 1,804 recorded births.

When was Tai most popular?

Tai reached its peak popularity in 2004 with 133 births that year. It is currently ranked #2409 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Tai?

Tai is currently ranked #2409 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 3,069 babies since 1922.

Tai

An uncommon Chinese pick — distinctive and rare.

Boy's name| Also girlsChineseDeclining Also a pet name

#2409▲ 276in 2024

Meaning & Origin

A local government area of Rivers State, Nigeria.

Tai is a boy's and girl's baby name used across multiple cultures — in Chinese, it can mean 'great' or 'supreme'; in Maori, it means 'sea' or 'tide.' The name's crisp single syllable gives it a clean, modern minimalism that travels effortlessly across linguistic borders.

Compare Tai with another name

Popularity Over Time

Tai was #1177 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #2409, but its charm endures.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Tai
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	281	#2449	▼
2010s	639	#2200	▼
2000s	1,053	#1424	▲
1990s	516	#1828	▲
1980s	356	#1794	▲
1970s	202	#2448	▲
1960s	12	#4231	▲
1920s	10	#4879	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(59 years, 1922–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Tai
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	58	#2409	+9 (18.4%)
2023	49	#2685	-6 (-10.9%)
2022	55	#2512	-5 (-8.3%)
2021	60	#2319	+1 (1.7%)
2020	59	#2319	+13 (28.3%)
2019	46	#2758	-3 (-6.1%)
2018	49	#2612	-4 (-7.5%)
2017	53	#2443	-7 (-11.7%)
2016	60	#2253	+2 (3.4%)
2015	58	#2294	-12 (-17.1%)
2014	70	#2039	-1 (-1.4%)
2013	71	#1961	-1 (-1.4%)
2012	72	#1980	-17 (-19.1%)
2011	89	#1684	+18 (25.4%)
2010	71	#1971	-19 (-21.1%)
2009	90	#1730	+6 (7.1%)
2008	84	#1790	-19 (-18.4%)
2007	103	#1535	-18 (-14.9%)
2006	121	#1348	+14 (13.1%)
2005	107	#1400	-26 (-19.5%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Tai as a Girl's Name

Though more common for boys, Tai has a notable history as a girl's name too, with 1,804 births since 1959.

#8867

Current rank

1,804

Total births

1980

Peak year

Compare Tai as boy vs girl

Frequently Asked

Can Tai be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Tai is used for both boys and girls. As a boy's name, it currently ranks #2409. As a girl's name, it ranks #8867.

Tai has two lives

Tai, the baby name

#2409boys

3,069 babies

Currently viewing

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1922–2024) · Methodology

Tai