Tab Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: Tab //tæb//
Origin: English; Hebrew
Meaning: English: short form of Tabitha; Hebrew: 'gazelle'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Tab is believed to derive from the Hebrew word "tab" (טַב), which translates to "good" or "pleasant." This etymological root reflects a positive connotation, often associated with favorable qualities. The name may also be linked to the Hebrew name "Tobiah," meaning "God is good," which further emphasizes its positive attributes.
The transition of the name into English likely occurred through the influence of biblical texts and translations, particularly during the medieval period when Hebrew names began to be adopted into Christian contexts. Historically, the name Tab has been associated with various figures in religious texts.
For instance, in the Hebrew Bible, the name Tobiah appears as a character in the Book of Nehemiah, where he is depicted as an adversary to the Jewish people during their return from Babylonian exile. This biblical connection provided a foundation for the name's use in Christian communities, especially during the Renaissance when interest in biblical names surged.
The name Tab itself, while less common, may have been used as a diminutive or affectionate form of Tobiah or other similar names, reflecting a trend in naming practices that favored shorter, more accessible forms. Culturally, the name Tab carries connotations of goodness and pleasantness, which have allowed it to resonate in various contexts.
In addition to its biblical roots, the name can evoke a sense of warmth and friendliness, making it suitable for informal settings. The use of diminutive forms, such as Tabby, has also been noted in some cultures, further enhancing the name's appeal.
Overall, the name Tab encapsulates a rich linguistic and cultural heritage, rooted in ancient traditions and biblical narratives.
Famous people named Tab
In this section, you will find notable people named Tab. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Tab who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Tab who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Tab Hunter is an actor and singer best known for Battle Cry, Damn Yankees, and Tab Hunter Confidential.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Tab, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Tab. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Tab was first seen in the United States in 1953.
Tab has ranked as high as #989 nationally, which occurred in 1957, and has been most popular in California, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Indiana.
In the past 5 years the name Tab has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Tab is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Tab was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Tab (1970)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| OH | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Tab.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2013 | 7 |
| 1996 | 7 |
| 1995 | 7 |
| 1993 | 6 |
| 1991 | 13 |
| 1990 | 8 |
| 1989 | 9 |
| 1988 | 11 |
| 1987 | 11 |
| 1986 | 9 |
| 1985 | 6 |
| 1984 | 8 |
| 1983 | 6 |
| 1982 | 9 |
| 1981 | 5 |
| 1980 | 12 |
| 1979 | 11 |
| 1978 | 8 |
| 1977 | 9 |
| 1976 | 6 |
| 1975 | 9 |
| 1974 | 9 |
| 1973 | 8 |
| 1972 | 18 |
| 1971 | 18 |
| 1970 | 30 |
| 1969 | 21 |
| 1968 | 21 |
| 1967 | 38 |
| 1966 | 43 |
| 1965 | 47 |
| 1964 | 42 |
| 1963 | 50 |
| 1962 | 45 |
| 1961 | 51 |
| 1960 | 67 |
| 1959 | 89 |
| 1958 | 80 |
| 1957 | 120 |
| 1956 | 69 |
| 1955 | 43 |
| 1954 | 13 |
| 1953 | 6 |