Tu
Every Tu since 1978 — 427 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Tu
Tu 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 1978, 427 American babies have been named Tu — about 73% boys and 27% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1984, when 32 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1980s.
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 Tu stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Tu 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 | — | — | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — | — | — |
| 2018 | 5 | #17,945 | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — | 6 | #12,168 |
| 2010 | — | — | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — | — | — |
| 2006 | 5 | #19,877 | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — | 5 | #13,222 |
| 2004 | — | — | 6 | #11,250 |
| 2003 | — | — | 5 | #12,641 |
| 2002 | — | — | 6 | #10,580 |
| 2001 | — | — | 6 | #10,459 |
| 2000 | — | — | 5 | #12,024 |
| 1995 | — | — | 5 | #10,237 |
| 1990 | 13 | #6,849 | 10 | #5,349 |
| 1985 | 7 | #9,260 | 18 | #2,819 |
| 1980 | — | — | 14 | #3,243 |
| 1975 | — | — | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Tu
- Tu Youyou Chemist · b. 1930
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Tu in 2025?
Tu 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 Tu?
427 babies have been named Tu in the United States since 1978, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Tu most popular?
Tu peaked in 1984, when 32 newborns received the name.
Is Tu a boy or girl name?
Tu is used for both: about 27% of babies named Tu have been girls and 73% boys.
Is the name Tu rising or falling?
Tu has been roughly stable over the past decade.
Who are famous people named Tu?
Well-known people named Tu include Tu Youyou (chemist).