Is Thad a boy's or girl's name?

Thad is primarily a boy's name. It is also used as a girl's name, with 5 recorded births.

When was Thad most popular?

Thad reached its peak popularity in 1967 with 365 births that year. It is currently ranked #13986 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Thad?

Thad is currently ranked #13986 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 8,212 babies since 1880.

Thad

A Aramaic name gently fading from the charts.

Boy's name| Also girlsAramaicDeclining

#13986▼ 5144in 2024

Meaning & Origin

A diminutive of the male given names Thaddeus or Thaddaeus, sometimes also used as a formal given name.

Thad is a boy's and girl's baby name of Aramaic origin, a diminutive of Thaddeus, from the Aramaic Thaddai meaning 'heart' or 'courage.' The apostle Jude (also called Thaddeus) makes this name one of the twelve apostolic names — Thad is its most minimal, modern form.

Short and strong, Thad carries the apostolic heritage of Thaddeus in a single efficient syllable — all the heart, none of the extra letters.

Compare Thad with another name

Popularity Over Time

Thad was #3622 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #13986, but its charm endures.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Thad
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	48	#9346	▼
2010s	197	#5115	▼
2000s	271	#3719	▼
1990s	376	#2285	▼
1980s	653	#1223	▼
1970s	1,792	#640	—
1960s	1,963	#596	▲
1950s	747	#870	▲
1940s	543	#906	▲
1930s	466	#950	—
1920s	509	#987	▲
1910s	329	#1018	▲
1900s	126	#769	▲
1890s	90	#872	▼
1880s	102	#679	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(145 years, 1880–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Thad
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	5	#13986	-4 (-44.4%)
2023	9	#8842	0
2022	9	#8902	-8 (-47.1%)
2021	17	#5535	+9 (112.5%)
2020	8	#9464	-9 (-52.9%)
2019	17	#5534	+3 (21.4%)
2018	14	#6302	-4 (-22.2%)
2017	18	#5276	+6 (50.0%)
2016	12	#7098	-6 (-33.3%)
2015	18	#5266	-8 (-30.8%)
2014	26	#3996	+7 (36.8%)
2013	19	#4954	-10 (-34.5%)
2012	29	#3701	+9 (45.0%)
2011	20	#4803	-4 (-16.7%)
2010	24	#4219	+1 (4.3%)
2009	23	#4415	0
2008	23	#4375	+3 (15.0%)
2007	20	#4781	-16 (-44.4%)
2006	36	#3078	+6 (20.0%)
2005	30	#3381	+4 (15.4%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Thad as a Girl's Name

While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Thad has also been given to 5 girls in the U.S. since 1932.

Unranked

Current rank

Total births

1932

Peak year

Compare Thad as boy vs girl

Frequently Asked

Can Thad be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Thad is used for both boys and girls. As a boy's name, it currently ranks #13986. As a girl's name, it is not currently in the top rankings.

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1880–2024) · Methodology