Tavon
Primarily a boy's name of American origin with 4,050 recorded births. Also given to 78 girls.
Meaning & Origin
Tavon sits in the still in active use zone of American naming: first recorded in 1972, peaking in 1996, with 4,050 total births across its history.
The solid, balanced quality of its ending — a versatile ending found across many naming traditions — keeps the name compact and easy to pair with longer middle names or surnames.
In the most recent SSA release, Tavon ranks #3578 among U.S. boy names — distinctive enough to stand out.
Tavon is a boy's and girl's baby name of American origin, a creative variant of Taveon or a blend of Tav- and -on, with possible connections to the Hebrew tav (the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet, symbolizing 'completeness' or 'the end') and the popular -on suffix.
Tavon has been a consistent presence in African American naming for decades, with over 4,000 recorded U.S. births. Wide receiver Tavon Austin gave it NFL visibility. It has the smooth, flowing quality of names that feel both invented and entirely natural.
EtymologyShow more
Tavon appeared in SSA records in 1972, placing it in the modern era of American naming — a period when parents increasingly began breaking from generational naming patterns, experimenting with spelling, and treating naming as a form of creative self-expression. Its American roots may have been the starting point, adapted or respelled to fit contemporary American tastes.
Tavon’s 4,050 recorded births provide enough of a footprint to establish it as a real, chosen name in American culture — not a typo or a one-off, but a deliberate selection by hundreds of families.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Tavon was #1279 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #3578, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 159 | #3655 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 499 | #2664 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 1,069 | #1429 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 1,424 | #935 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 704 | #1140 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 195 | #2800 | — |
The Story of Tavon
A Millennial name
Peaking in 1996, Tavon is a Millennial-era classic. Boys named Tavon are most likely born between 1986 and 2006.
How rare is Tavon?
Only about 1 in every 112,500 babies born in 2024 was named Tavon — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1972, peaked in the 1990s with 1,424 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Tavon by the numbers
- Would fill 84 school buses
- Meeting one Tavon per day would take 11.1 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(53 years, 1972–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 32 | #3578 |
| 2023 | 23 | #4593 |
| 2022 | 32 | #3602 |
| 2021 | 38 | #3167 |
| 2020 | 34 | #3337 |
| 2019 | 35 | #3335 |
| 2018 | 39 | #3045 |
| 2017 | 35 | #3307 |
| 2016 | 36 | #3217 |
| 2015 | 53 | #2428 |
| 2014 | 45 | #2702 |
| 2013 | 51 | #2454 |
| 2012 | 55 | #2355 |
| 2011 | 73 | #1922 |
| 2010 | 77 | #1879 |
| 2009 | 61 | #2200 |
| 2008 | 92 | #1675 |
| 2007 | 98 | #1606 |
| 2006 | 119 | #1364 |
| 2005 | 130 | #1223 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Tavon as a Girl's Name
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Tavon has also been given to 78 girls in the U.S. since 1975.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tavon a boy's or girl's name?
When was Tavon most popular?
How popular is the name Tavon?
Can Tavon be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1972–2024