Tavis
Primarily a boy's name of Scottish Gaelic origin with 2,201 recorded births. Also given to 6 girls.
Meaning & Origin
ordinary person, a random, a nobody, Mr. Nobody
Tavis is a boy's and girl's baby name of Scottish Gaelic origin, a Scottish variant of Thomas or Davis, meaning 'twin' (from the Aramaic Thomas) or 'son of David' — from the Hebrew David (beloved) with the Gaelic -is suffix.
Tavis Smiley, the broadcaster and political commentator, is the name's most prominent contemporary bearer. The name carries the earthy, Scottish Highlands quality of Gaelic names that have traveled to America through Scottish immigration. With over 2,200 recorded U.S. births, it has significant presence.
EtymologyShow more
Tavis first shows up in U.S. Social Security records in 1963. Arriving in the 1960s, Tavis appeared during a period when American naming was beginning to diversify beyond the traditional Anglo-Saxon and biblical pools.
Its Scottish Gaelic classification suggests a path from scottish gaelic linguistic traditions into American usage, though the specific route — whether through immigration, literature, or cultural exchange — would require deeper historical research.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Tavis was #2337 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #12148, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 40 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 167 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 434 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 551 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 419 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 502 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 88 | — |
The Story of Tavis
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 1999, Tavis is a name that defines a generation. Boys named Tavis are most likely born between 1989 and 2009.
How rare is Tavis?
Only about 1 in every 600,000 babies born in 2024 was named Tavis — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1963, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1990s with 551 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Tavis by the numbers
- Would fill 46 school buses
- Meeting one Tavis per day would take 6 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(62 years, 1963–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 6 | #12148 |
| 2023 | 9 | #8839 |
| 2022 | 5 | #14093 |
| 2021 | 9 | #8757 |
| 2020 | 11 | #7441 |
| 2019 | 10 | #8136 |
| 2018 | 15 | #6007 |
| 2017 | 10 | #8077 |
| 2016 | 8 | #9573 |
| 2015 | 14 | #6279 |
| 2014 | 11 | #7498 |
| 2013 | 24 | #4164 |
| 2012 | 32 | #3439 |
| 2011 | 20 | #4802 |
| 2010 | 23 | #4350 |
| 2009 | 28 | #3817 |
| 2008 | 29 | #3730 |
| 2007 | 48 | #2596 |
| 2006 | 50 | #2473 |
| 2005 | 42 | #2646 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Tavis as a Girl's Name
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Tavis has also been given to 6 girls in the U.S. since 1977.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tavis a boy's or girl's name?
When was Tavis most popular?
How popular is the name Tavis?
Can Tavis be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1963–2024