Tanja
A female given name, variant of Tanya
Every Tanja since 1943 — 2,580 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Tanja
Tanja is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1943, 2,580 American babies have been named Tanja. Its peak came in 1970, when 153 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1970s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Tanja stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Tanja year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — |
| 2007 | 7 | #15,319 |
| 2006 | 5 | #19,774 |
| 2005 | — | — |
| 2004 | 5 | #18,543 |
| 2003 | — | — |
| 2002 | 6 | #15,216 |
| 2001 | 7 | #13,360 |
| 2000 | — | — |
| 1995 | 11 | #8,024 |
| 1990 | 25 | #4,106 |
| 1985 | 31 | #2,998 |
| 1980 | 47 | #2,183 |
| 1975 | 71 | #1,457 |
| 1970 | 153 | #875 |
| 1965 | 88 | #1,134 |
| 1960 | 71 | #1,311 |
| 1955 | 18 | #2,716 |
| 1950 | 8 | #4,280 |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Famous people named Tanja
- Tanja Ribič Actor · b. 1968
- Tanja Mihhailova-Saar Singer · b. 1983
- Tanja Poutiainen Skier · b. 1980
- Tanja Žakelj Cyclist · b. 1988
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Tanja mean?
A female given name, variant of Tanya
How popular is the name Tanja in 2025?
Tanja did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Tanja?
2,580 babies have been named Tanja in the United States since 1943, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Tanja most popular?
Tanja peaked in 1970, when 153 newborns received the name.
Is Tanja a boy or girl name?
Tanja is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Tanja rising or falling?
Tanja has been roughly stable over the past decade.
Who are famous people named Tanja?
Well-known people named Tanja include Tanja Ribič (actor), Tanja Mihhailova-Saar (singer), Tanja Poutiainen (skier).