Taye
Primarily a boy's name of African origin with 571 recorded births. Also given to 48 girls.
Meaning & Origin
A male given name.
Taye is a boy's and girl's baby name of African origin, from the Amharic (Ethiopian) name meaning 'he has been seen' — an expression of joy at the birth of a child, the gratitude of parents whose son has arrived and been witnessed. It is a common name across Ethiopia and the Ethiopian diaspora.
Actor Taye Diggs brought the name into broad American public awareness — carrying his Ethiopian heritage in a name that feels simultaneously ancient and completely contemporary. It's a name with a story told in three letters.
EtymologyShow more
Taye is built from 4 letters and one syllable — a compact structure that favors quick recognition and easy recall. Within the African naming tradition, this brevity is common among names that have been worn down through centuries of use, shedding syllables along the way.
The interplay of consonants and vowels in Taye creates its characteristic open, approachable quality. One-syllable names stand out for their directness. Every sound carries weight, making pronunciation and first impressions immediate.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Taye has 24+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1998.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 36 | #9185 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 109 | #7730 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 370 | #2967 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 56 | #3068 | — |
The Story of Taye
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 2004, Taye is a name that defines a generation. Boys named Taye are most likely born between 1998 and 2014.
How rare is Taye?
With 571 total births on record, Taye remains a rare and distinctive pick.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1998, peaked in the 2000s with 370 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Taye by the numbers
- Would fill 12 school buses
- Meeting one Taye per day would take 1.6 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(24 years, 1998–2023)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 8 | #9633 |
| 2022 | 6 | #12147 |
| 2021 | 11 | #7517 |
| 2020 | 11 | #7442 |
| 2018 | 6 | #11973 |
| 2016 | 6 | #11995 |
| 2015 | 8 | #9467 |
| 2014 | 16 | #5693 |
| 2013 | 10 | #8036 |
| 2012 | 21 | #4666 |
| 2011 | 14 | #6210 |
| 2010 | 28 | #3798 |
| 2009 | 28 | #3818 |
| 2008 | 37 | #3157 |
| 2007 | 28 | #3783 |
| 2006 | 37 | #3020 |
| 2005 | 45 | #2526 |
| 2004 | 53 | #2206 |
| 2003 | 37 | #2721 |
| 2002 | 32 | #2936 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Taye as a Girl's Name
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Taye has also been given to 48 girls in the U.S. since 1998.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Taye a boy's or girl's name?
When was Taye most popular?
How popular is the name Taye?
Can Taye be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1998–2023