Tevita Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: teh-VEE-tah //tɛˈviːtə//
Origin: Tongan; Samoan
Meaning: Tongan: beloved; Samoan: a gift from God
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Tevita is of Tongan origin, derived from the Hebrew name David, which means "beloved." The name David has its roots in the Hebrew language, where it appears as דָּוִד (Dāwīḏ). This name was adopted into Greek as Δαβίδ (Dabid) and subsequently into Latin as Davidus, before making its way into various languages, including English.
The transition of the name into Tongan culture reflects the broader influence of Christianity in the Pacific Islands, particularly through missionary work in the 19th century, which introduced biblical names to the local populations. Historically, David is a significant figure in the Hebrew Bible, known as the second king of Israel and a central character in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions.
His story, which includes the famous tale of David and Goliath, has been influential in various cultural narratives throughout history. The name gained prominence in Western cultures through its biblical associations, particularly with the translation of the Bible into English, such as the King James Version in the early 17th century, which helped solidify its usage in Christian contexts.
In Tongan culture, the name Tevita carries a sense of reverence and connection to the biblical David, symbolizing qualities such as leadership and strength. The name is often associated with the Christian faith, reflecting the values and beliefs of the community.
Additionally, the diminutive form "Tevi" may be used affectionately, showcasing the name's adaptability within the cultural context. Overall, Tevita embodies a blend of linguistic heritage and cultural significance, linking Tongan identity to broader historical narratives.
Famous people named Tevita
In this section, you will find notable people named Tevita. 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 Tevita who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Tevita 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.
Tevita Pangai Jr. is a rugby league player best known for playing with the Penrith Panthers and the Canterbury Bulldogs.
Tevita Kuridrani is a rugby union player best known for representing the Brumbies and the Australian national team.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Tevita, 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 Tevita. 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 Tevita was first seen in the United States in 1979.
Tevita has ranked as high as #1392 nationally, which occurred in 2016, and has been most popular in California, Utah, and Hawaii.
In the past 5 years the name Tevita has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Tevita 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 Tevita was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Tevita (2024)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 7 |
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 Tevita.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 20 |
| 2023 | 14 |
| 2022 | 20 |
| 2021 | 12 |
| 2020 | 21 |
| 2019 | 21 |
| 2018 | 22 |
| 2017 | 26 |
| 2016 | 31 |
| 2015 | 24 |
| 2014 | 18 |
| 2013 | 23 |
| 2012 | 23 |
| 2011 | 22 |
| 2010 | 23 |
| 2009 | 30 |
| 2008 | 26 |
| 2007 | 18 |
| 2006 | 12 |
| 2005 | 22 |
| 2004 | 19 |
| 2003 | 21 |
| 2002 | 23 |
| 2001 | 20 |
| 2000 | 18 |
| 1999 | 19 |
| 1998 | 17 |
| 1997 | 20 |
| 1996 | 21 |
| 1995 | 18 |
| 1994 | 27 |
| 1993 | 19 |
| 1992 | 17 |
| 1991 | 15 |
| 1990 | 14 |
| 1989 | 13 |
| 1988 | 10 |
| 1987 | 13 |
| 1986 | 18 |
| 1985 | 14 |
| 1984 | 13 |
| 1983 | 13 |
| 1982 | 14 |
| 1981 | 11 |
| 1980 | 10 |
| 1979 | 5 |