Tavis Boy

Popularity: #929 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: TAV-iss //ˈtæv.ɪs//

Origin: Scottish; Welsh

Meaning: Scottish: twin; Welsh: beloved

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Tavis is of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic name "Tavish," which itself is a diminutive form of "Tavish" or "Tavish MacTavish," meaning "son of Tavis." The etymology can be traced back to the Hebrew name "Tobiah," meaning "Yahweh is good," which was adapted into Greek as "Tobias" and later into Latin as "Tobias" before influencing various European languages. The name made its way into Scottish Gaelic, where it evolved into forms such as "Tavish," eventually leading to the modern English variant, Tavis.

Historically, the name Tavis has connections to notable figures in Scottish history and literature. The name appears in various forms in Scottish texts from the Middle Ages, where it was often associated with noble families.

The use of Tavis and its variants can be traced back to the 15th century, when it was recorded in Scottish documents. Additionally, the name has been linked to the broader tradition of Gaelic names that signify lineage and heritage, reflecting the importance of familial connections in Scottish culture.

Culturally, Tavis embodies themes of strength and goodness, resonating with the meanings associated with its Hebrew roots. The name has been embraced in various forms within Scottish folklore and literature, symbolizing loyalty and kinship.

The diminutive "Tav" is sometimes used affectionately, highlighting the name's adaptability and personal significance. Overall, Tavis carries a rich historical and cultural legacy, rooted in the Gaelic tradition and reflective of the values of its time.

Famous people named Tavis

In this section, you will find notable people named Tavis. 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 Tavis who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Tavis 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.

Tavis Smiley is a television and radio host best known for The Tavis Smiley Show, Tavis Talks, and his work on PBS.

Fictional characters named Tavis

The following list of fictional characters named Tavis 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.

Tavis is a fictional character from the novel series The Demon Princes by Jack Vance. He is one of the main protagonists who seeks revenge against the demon princes who wronged him.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Tavis, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

DavisMavisJavisTalonTannerTate

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Tavis. 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.

TravisTavishTalonTannerTateTobiasTobynTavon

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Tavis was first seen in the United States in 1963.

Tavis has ranked as high as #3350 nationally, which occurred in 1999, and has been most popular in California, Florida, North Carolina, Georgia, and Ohio.

In the past 5 years the name Tavis has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Tavis 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 Tavis 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 Tavis.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 9 9 0
2024 6 6 0
2023 9 9 0
2022 5 5 0
2021 9 9 0
2020 11 11 0
2019 10 10 0
2018 15 15 0
2017 10 10 0
2016 8 8 0
2015 14 14 0
2014 11 11 0
2013 24 24 0
2012 32 32 0
2011 20 20 0
2010 23 23 0
2009 28 28 0
2008 29 29 0
2007 48 48 0
2006 50 50 0
2005 42 42 0
2004 49 49 0
2003 37 37 0
2002 39 39 0
2001 49 49 0
2000 63 63 0
1999 79 79 0
1998 76 76 0
1997 58 58 0
1996 50 50 0
1995 43 43 0
1994 51 51 0
1993 60 60 0
1992 49 49 0
1991 50 50 0
1990 35 35 0
1989 28 28 0
1988 41 41 0
1987 34 34 0
1986 30 30 0
1985 41 41 0
1984 37 37 0
1983 57 57 0
1982 46 46 0
1981 51 51 0
1980 54 54 0
1979 66 66 0
1978 62 62 0
1977 79 73 6
1976 65 65 0
1975 54 54 0
1974 44 44 0
1973 47 47 0
1972 34 34 0
1971 36 36 0
1970 21 21 0
1969 23 23 0
1968 16 16 0
1967 15 15 0
1966 6 6 0
1965 11 11 0
1964 9 9 0
1963 8 8 0

Top States for Tavis (2004)

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
CA 5
50%
TX 5
50%