Tavi
Primarily a girl's name of Hebrew origin with 177 recorded births. Also given to 151 boys.
Meaning & Origin
a Finnish surname
Tavi is a boy's and girl's baby name of Hebrew origin, a short form of David or Octavius — David meaning 'beloved' and Octavius from the Latin meaning 'eighth.' Tavi is also used in Israeli Hebrew culture as a standalone name. Fashion icon Tavi Gevinson made the name known to a generation as a girl's name too.
Short, warm, and memorable, Tavi has a cross-cultural appeal that works equally well in Hebrew, Italian, and English-speaking contexts — a rare quality for such a brief name.
EtymologyShow more
Though Tavi dates back to 1966 in U.S. records, its etymological path is not always straightforward. Names that predate modern naming databases sometimes resist easy classification — they may have been oral traditions, regional family names, or adaptations that were never systematically recorded. The Hebrew classification provides a starting point, but the full derivation likely involves more nuance than a single label can capture.
With only 177 recorded births, Tavi has not been widely studied in naming literature — its story belongs primarily to the families who chose it.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Tavi has 25+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1966.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 33 | #12490 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 72 | #13594 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 22 | #14946 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 11 | #14643 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 15 | #11969 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 19 | #9631 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 5 | #7512 | — |
The Story of Tavi
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2014, Tavi is a fresh, modern favorite. Girls named Tavi are most likely born between 2004 and 2024.
How rare is Tavi?
Only about 1 in every 400,000 babies born in 2024 was named Tavi — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1966, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 2010s with 72 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Tavi by the numbers
- Would fill 4 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(25 years, 1966–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 9 | #10981 |
| 2023 | 5 | #17357 |
| 2022 | 8 | #12135 |
| 2021 | 11 | #9487 |
| 2019 | 11 | #9668 |
| 2018 | 6 | #15490 |
| 2017 | 5 | #18186 |
| 2016 | 10 | #10783 |
| 2015 | 7 | #14358 |
| 2014 | 12 | #9473 |
| 2013 | 7 | #14453 |
| 2012 | 8 | #13354 |
| 2011 | 6 | #16581 |
| 2007 | 7 | #15330 |
| 2006 | 10 | #11346 |
| 2003 | 5 | #18161 |
| 1997 | 5 | #15930 |
| 1996 | 6 | #13356 |
| 1984 | 5 | #12015 |
| 1983 | 5 | #11899 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Tavi as a Boy's Name
Tavi is a true unisex name. As a boy's name, it has 151 recorded births since 2003.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tavi a boy's or girl's name?
When was Tavi most popular?
How popular is the name Tavi?
Can Tavi be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1966–2024