Tip
A boy's name of Old English origin with 176 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A male nickname.
Tip is a boy's baby name of American origin, used historically as a nickname or given name — possibly short for Tipton or as a playful given name meaning the pointed end or 'top,' from the Middle English tip. 'Tippecanoe and Tyler Too' made Tip Harrison's nickname famous in the 1840 presidential campaign.
Tip O'Neill, the legendary Speaker of the House from Massachusetts, carried this nickname as his public identity throughout his political career. As a given name, Tip has a friendly, informal American character — short, cheerful, and unpretentious.
EtymologyShow more
Names travel. They cross oceans, change spelling, shift pronunciation, and accumulate new associations with each culture that adopts them. Tip is rooted in the Old English tradition, but its presence in American naming since 1887 means it has been shaped by English phonetics, local customs, and the cultural context of the families who chose it.
Tip’s rarity (176 recorded births) may indicate it is strongly tied to a specific cultural community or family tradition, rather than part of the broader American naming mainstream.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Tip has 30+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1887.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 5 | #4383 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 24 | #3841 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 17 | #3792 | — |
| 1930s | 18 | #3751 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 45 | #4098 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 42 | #3397 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 10 | #1435 | — |
| 1890s | 10 | #1259 | ▲ |
| 1880s | 5 | #1056 | — |
The Story of Tip
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1923, Tip is a name steeped in history. Boys named Tip are most likely born between 1913 and 1933.
How rare is Tip?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Tip is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1887, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1920s with 45 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Tip by the numbers
- Would fill 4 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(30 years, 1887–1965)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1965 | 5 | #4383 |
| 1958 | 5 | #4466 |
| 1956 | 7 | #3513 |
| 1952 | 6 | #3702 |
| 1951 | 6 | #3683 |
| 1949 | 5 | #4161 |
| 1947 | 6 | #3699 |
| 1943 | 6 | #3516 |
| 1938 | 7 | #3149 |
| 1933 | 6 | #3606 |
| 1930 | 5 | #4497 |
| 1929 | 7 | #3526 |
| 1927 | 8 | #3421 |
| 1925 | 5 | #4810 |
| 1924 | 6 | #4309 |
| 1923 | 8 | #3442 |
| 1922 | 5 | #4895 |
| 1921 | 6 | #4280 |
| 1919 | 7 | #3707 |
| 1918 | 7 | #3682 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tip a boy's or girl's name?
When was Tip most popular?
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Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1887–1965