girls' name · peaked 1974

Tanya

Borrowed in the twentieth century from the Russian pet form Та́ня (Tánja) of Татья́на (Tatʹjána, “Tatiana”).

Every Tanya since 1914 — 117,260 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
1.252.53.75518801900192019401960198020002020GirlsBoys
GirlsBoys
Rank 2025
#3,767
among girls
Babies in 2025
40
named Tanya
Peak year
1974
6,038 babies
All-time total
117,260
since 1914

The story of Tanya

Tanya is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #3,767 in 2025 with 40 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 1914, 117,260 American babies have been named Tanya. Its peak came in 1974, when 6,038 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 Tanya stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Tanya year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year Girls Girls rank Boys Boys rank
2025 40 #3,767
2024 46 #3,455
2023 49 #3,322
2022 61 #2,818
2021 43 #3,608
2020 67 #2,579
2019 79 #2,303
2018 67 #2,608
2017 91 #2,127
2016 92 #2,125
2015 106 #1,918
2014 131 #1,642
2013 149 #1,494
2012 204 #1,204
2011 223 #1,109
2010 247 #1,018
2009 268 #990
2008 333 #847
2007 354 #812
2006 370 #750
2005 401 #692
2004 430 #635
2003 453 #602
2002 463 #570
2001 416 #606
2000 455 #571
1995 621 #413
1990 1,118 #253 7 #7,090
1985 2,113 #139 11 #4,021
1980 3,436 #88 12 #3,591
1975 5,377 #50 26 #1,881
1970 4,862 #76 19 #2,117
1965 2,021 #173
1960 1,540 #217
1955 697 #325
1950 354 #427
1945 186 #534
1940 70 #858
1935 38 #1,160
1930 25 #1,603
1925 9 #3,626
1920 12 #2,876
1915 6 #4,209
1910
1905
1900
1895
1890
1885
1880

Famous people named Tanya

  1. Tanya Savicheva Writer · 1930–1944
  2. Tanya Roberts Actor · b. 1955
  3. Tanya Tate Pornographic actor · b. 1979
  4. Tanya Tucker Singer · b. 1958
  5. Tanya Dangalakova Athlete · b. 1964

Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Tanya mean?

Borrowed in the twentieth century from the Russian pet form Та́ня (Tánja) of Татья́на (Tatʹjána, “Tatiana”).

How popular is the name Tanya in 2025?

Tanya ranked #3,767 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 40 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Tanya?

117,260 babies have been named Tanya in the United States since 1914, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Tanya most popular?

Tanya peaked in 1974, when 6,038 newborns received the name.

Is Tanya a boy or girl name?

Tanya is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Tanya rising or falling?

Tanya is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Tanya?

Well-known people named Tanya include Tanya Savicheva (writer), Tanya Roberts (actor), Tanya Tate (pornographic actor).

Names like Tanya

Compare Tanya with similar names →