Tao
Every Tao since 1970 — 443 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Tao
Tao is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #5,824 in 2025 with 16 babies given the name. It is currently holding steady compared with a decade ago.
Since 1970, 443 American babies have been named Tao. Its peak came in 2021, when 20 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2020s.
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 Tao stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Tao 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 | — | — | 16 | #5,824 |
| 2024 | — | — | 8 | #9,762 |
| 2023 | — | — | 12 | #7,250 |
| 2022 | — | — | 16 | #5,841 |
| 2021 | — | — | 20 | #4,913 |
| 2020 | — | — | 9 | #8,654 |
| 2019 | — | — | 9 | #8,796 |
| 2018 | — | — | 13 | #6,657 |
| 2017 | — | — | 11 | #7,486 |
| 2016 | — | — | 17 | #5,530 |
| 2015 | — | — | 15 | #5,959 |
| 2014 | — | — | 13 | #6,584 |
| 2013 | — | — | 7 | #10,600 |
| 2012 | — | — | 15 | #5,957 |
| 2011 | — | — | 15 | #5,916 |
| 2010 | — | — | 16 | #5,705 |
| 2009 | — | — | 15 | #6,051 |
| 2008 | — | — | 9 | #8,926 |
| 2007 | — | — | 12 | #7,027 |
| 2006 | — | — | 13 | #6,416 |
| 2005 | — | — | 10 | #7,586 |
| 2004 | — | — | 9 | #8,077 |
| 2003 | — | — | 11 | #6,668 |
| 2002 | — | — | 15 | #5,108 |
| 2001 | — | — | 11 | #6,394 |
| 2000 | — | — | 11 | #6,259 |
| 1995 | — | — | 6 | #8,761 |
| 1990 | — | — | — | — |
| 1985 | — | — | 5 | #7,461 |
| 1980 | 10 | #6,742 | 9 | #4,465 |
| 1975 | — | — | 5 | #6,235 |
| 1970 | — | — | 6 | #4,671 |
| 1965 | — | — | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Tao
- Tao Yuanming Writer · 365–427
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Tao in 2025?
Tao ranked #5,824 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 16 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Tao?
443 babies have been named Tao in the United States since 1970, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Tao most popular?
Tao peaked in 2021, when 20 newborns received the name.
Is Tao a boy or girl name?
Tao is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 98% of babies with the name.
Is the name Tao rising or falling?
Tao has been roughly stable over the past decade.
Who are famous people named Tao?
Well-known people named Tao include Tao Yuanming (writer).