Fun Facts About the Name Tau
- 39 babies named Tau: U.S. records list 39 babies given the name Tau from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Tau Mean?
Tau is a southern African name meaning "lion," from the Setswana and Sesotho noun tau. The word is the ordinary term for the animal, so the name's meaning is literal rather than symbolic. The Greek letter tau is a separate word with a different history and is not the source of the African name.
Tau Name History & Origins
Tau is used as a personal name and surname among Tswana and Sotho speakers in Botswana, Lesotho, and South Africa. It comes directly from the Sotho-Tswana noun tau; the name is the ordinary word used as a name, with no intermediate form or translation. The Greek letter tau is the nineteenth letter of the Greek alphabet and descends from the Phoenician letter taw, whose name meant "mark" or "sign." That letter name entered English as a term for the letter itself, and its resemblance to the African name is coincidental.
How Popular is the Name Tau?
Tau has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 1976. Its best rank was #4,873 in 1976.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #13,675 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2018 | #11,969 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2017 | #14,030 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1998 | #11,123 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1993 | #8,588 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1978 | #6,658 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1976 | #4,873 | 7 | 0.0004% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
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How the Name Tau Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You like to control everyone within your influence, to shape things to your own liking. If positive, you develop high spirituality, as you have a God's protection. You are sensitive, affectionate, imaginative and cooperative, spiritually aware and prone to self-sacrifice. You can keep secrets and are a good diplomat. You may have healing and psychic powers. You are bold, independent, inquisitive and interested in research. You know what you want and why you want it.
You find the best contentment in life when you own your own home and provide well for your family and loved ones. You have a great sense of responsibility and duty. You are comforting, appreciative and affectionate. Your obligation in life is to hold justice and truth, and if you follow the Law, you can find the great happiness and satisfaction.
✦ Tau's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Tau's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.