Tian
Every Tian since 1974 — 532 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Tian
Tian is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #7,145 in 2025 with 12 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1974, 532 American babies have been named Tian — about 71% boys and 29% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 2023, when 26 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 Tian stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Tian 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 | — | — | 12 | #7,145 |
| 2024 | — | — | 25 | #4,310 |
| 2023 | — | — | 26 | #4,205 |
| 2022 | — | — | 18 | #5,418 |
| 2021 | — | — | 13 | #6,639 |
| 2020 | — | — | 13 | #6,583 |
| 2019 | — | — | 16 | #5,784 |
| 2018 | 5 | #17,919 | 18 | #5,296 |
| 2017 | — | — | 18 | #5,280 |
| 2016 | 5 | #18,643 | 12 | #7,102 |
| 2015 | — | — | 10 | #7,984 |
| 2014 | — | — | 8 | #9,541 |
| 2013 | — | — | 12 | #6,978 |
| 2012 | 5 | #19,311 | 11 | #7,501 |
| 2011 | — | — | 14 | #6,220 |
| 2010 | 6 | #16,819 | 10 | #8,072 |
| 2009 | 5 | #19,971 | 13 | #6,772 |
| 2008 | — | — | 5 | #14,396 |
| 2007 | 8 | #13,835 | 12 | #7,038 |
| 2006 | 9 | #12,351 | 14 | #6,066 |
| 2005 | 5 | #18,962 | 11 | #7,056 |
| 2004 | 7 | #14,072 | 10 | #7,473 |
| 2003 | 6 | #15,624 | 12 | #6,214 |
| 2002 | 7 | #13,496 | 11 | #6,486 |
| 2001 | 5 | #17,759 | 5 | #12,148 |
| 2000 | 5 | #17,418 | 6 | #10,243 |
| 1995 | 7 | #11,692 | 7 | #7,725 |
| 1990 | — | — | — | — |
| 1985 | — | — | — | — |
| 1980 | 7 | #9,025 | — | — |
| 1975 | 6 | #8,972 | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Tian
- Tian Han Writer · 1898–1968
- Tian Zhuangzhuang Film director · b. 1952
- Tian Liang Actor · b. 1979
- Tian Qing Badminton player · b. 1986
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Tian in 2025?
Tian ranked #7,145 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 12 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Tian?
532 babies have been named Tian in the United States since 1974, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Tian most popular?
Tian peaked in 2023, when 26 newborns received the name.
Is Tian a boy or girl name?
Tian is used for both: about 29% of babies named Tian have been girls and 71% boys.
Is the name Tian rising or falling?
Tian is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Tian?
Well-known people named Tian include Tian Han (writer), Tian Zhuangzhuang (film director), Tian Liang (actor).