Taku
A boy's name of Japanese origin with 37 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Among U.S. boy's names, Taku is not in the current national top 1,000. In fact, it is among the rarest names in the SSA dataset — a choice that signals bold individuality.
With records spanning 1984 to 2010, Taku has a focused history that reflects a particular moment in naming culture rather than a centuries-old tradition.
Taku is not in the current top 1,000 boy names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Taku is a boy's baby name of Japanese origin, typically written with characters meaning 'to expand, to open' (拓, taku) — associated with pioneering, opening up new territory, and expanding one's horizons. It can also be written as 卓 (meaning 'eminent, outstanding').
Taku is a genuinely used Japanese masculine name with a clean, two-syllable sound that translates beautifully across languages. The pioneering meaning — opening up new paths — gives it an adventurous quality, expressing the hope for a child who will go beyond what has been mapped before. Its brevity makes it both memorable and deeply international.
EtymologyShow more
Names travel. They cross oceans, change spelling, shift pronunciation, and accumulate new associations with each culture that adopts them. Taku is rooted in the Japanese tradition, but its presence in American naming since 1984 means it has been shaped by English phonetics, local customs, and the cultural context of the families who chose it.
Taku’s rarity (37 recorded births) may indicate it is strongly tied to a specific cultural community or family tradition, rather than part of the broader American naming mainstream.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Taku has 7+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1984.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 6 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 5 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 21 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 5 | — |
The Story of Taku
A Millennial name
Peaking in 1991, Taku is a Millennial-era classic. Boys named Taku are most likely born between 1984 and 2001.
How rare is Taku?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Taku is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1984, peaked in the 1990s with 21 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(7 years, 1984–2010)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 6 | #12030 |
| 2002 | 5 | #12283 |
| 1998 | 5 | #11110 |
| 1994 | 5 | #10078 |
| 1992 | 5 | #9651 |
| 1991 | 6 | #8118 |
| 1984 | 5 | #7205 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Taku a boy's or girl's name?
When was Taku most popular?
How popular is the name Taku?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1984–2010