Tal Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: Tahl /tɑːl/
Origin: Hebrew; English
Meaning: Hebrew: dew; English: short form of names like Talbot
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Tal has its roots in Hebrew, where it means "dew." This etymology reflects a natural and refreshing element, as dew is often associated with nourishment and renewal in the agricultural context of ancient Israel. The Hebrew word for dew, טַל (Tal), has been used in various biblical texts, emphasizing its significance in the cultural and spiritual life of the Hebrew people.
The name entered the English language primarily through transliteration from Hebrew, particularly as interest in biblical names grew in the 19th and 20th centuries due to religious and cultural movements. Historically, the name Tal does not have prominent figures or saints associated with it in the same way that other biblical names do, but it is mentioned in the context of Hebrew poetry and scripture.
The significance of dew in the Bible is often metaphorical, representing divine blessing and the sustenance provided by God. For instance, in the Book of Hosea, dew is used as a symbol of God's grace and favor, which further solidifies its cultural resonance within Jewish tradition.
In addition to its biblical connections, the name Tal has been embraced in various cultures, particularly in Israel, where it is used as both a given name and a surname. The simplicity and natural imagery associated with the name contribute to its enduring appeal.
The name's connotation of freshness and life aligns with broader themes in Hebrew literature and philosophy, where nature often plays a central role in expressing spiritual truths. The diminutive form "Tali" is sometimes used affectionately, highlighting the name's versatility and warmth in personal relationships.
Famous people named Tal
In this section, you will find notable people named Tal. 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 Tal who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Tal 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.
Tal Ben Haim is a former professional footballer best known for his time at Chelsea, Portsmouth, and the Israeli national team.
Fictional characters named Tal
The following list of fictional characters named Tal is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Tal is a fictional character from the video game series The Elder Scrolls. He is a member of the Thieves Guild and plays a significant role in the questlines involving stealth and cunning.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Tal, 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 Tal. 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 Tal was first seen in the United States in 1937.
Tal has ranked as high as #1866 nationally, which occurred in 1963, and has been most popular in New York, California, Illinois, New Jersey, and Texas.
In the past 5 years the name Tal has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Tal 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 Tal was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
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 Tal.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 16 | 11 | 5 |
| 2024 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 2023 | 11 | 11 | 0 |
| 2022 | 14 | 14 | 0 |
| 2021 | 11 | 11 | 0 |
| 2020 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 2019 | 12 | 7 | 5 |
| 2018 | 18 | 11 | 7 |
| 2017 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| 2016 | 11 | 11 | 0 |
| 2015 | 16 | 16 | 0 |
| 2014 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| 2013 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| 2012 | 15 | 9 | 6 |
| 2011 | 15 | 10 | 5 |
| 2010 | 19 | 12 | 7 |
| 2009 | 22 | 16 | 6 |
| 2008 | 31 | 19 | 12 |
| 2007 | 32 | 26 | 6 |
| 2006 | 22 | 12 | 10 |
| 2005 | 35 | 22 | 13 |
| 2004 | 42 | 35 | 7 |
| 2003 | 43 | 29 | 14 |
| 2002 | 45 | 24 | 21 |
| 2001 | 40 | 25 | 15 |
| 2000 | 32 | 20 | 12 |
| 1999 | 49 | 30 | 19 |
| 1998 | 38 | 25 | 13 |
| 1997 | 44 | 27 | 17 |
| 1996 | 41 | 27 | 14 |
| 1995 | 26 | 17 | 9 |
| 1994 | 42 | 22 | 20 |
| 1993 | 49 | 30 | 19 |
| 1992 | 47 | 28 | 19 |
| 1991 | 54 | 32 | 22 |
| 1990 | 40 | 19 | 21 |
| 1989 | 55 | 32 | 23 |
| 1988 | 37 | 21 | 16 |
| 1987 | 37 | 19 | 18 |
| 1986 | 43 | 27 | 16 |
| 1985 | 24 | 13 | 11 |
| 1984 | 28 | 20 | 8 |
| 1983 | 30 | 21 | 9 |
| 1982 | 24 | 15 | 9 |
| 1981 | 23 | 15 | 8 |
| 1980 | 30 | 20 | 10 |
| 1979 | 23 | 14 | 9 |
| 1978 | 21 | 15 | 6 |
| 1977 | 23 | 14 | 9 |
| 1976 | 14 | 14 | 0 |
| 1975 | 22 | 13 | 9 |
| 1974 | 23 | 12 | 11 |
| 1973 | 19 | 13 | 6 |
| 1972 | 19 | 11 | 8 |
| 1971 | 24 | 16 | 8 |
| 1970 | 15 | 15 | 0 |
| 1969 | 20 | 14 | 6 |
| 1968 | 13 | 6 | 7 |
| 1967 | 14 | 9 | 5 |
| 1966 | 23 | 18 | 5 |
| 1965 | 28 | 28 | 0 |
| 1964 | 48 | 48 | 0 |
| 1963 | 94 | 87 | 7 |
| 1962 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| 1961 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1960 | 11 | 11 | 0 |
| 1959 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1958 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1955 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1954 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1946 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1937 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
Top States for Tal (2017)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| NY | 5 |