Find out how popular the first name Tait has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Tait by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Tait is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 99% of people named Tait being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Tait.

The history of the first name Tait

The name Tait has its roots in the Scottish Gaelic language, originating in the Middle Ages. It is believed to have derived from the Gaelic word "tāit," which means "pride" or "arrogance." The name was likely originally used as a descriptive nickname or surname for someone who exhibited a sense of pride or haughtiness.

In the 16th century, the name Tait was found in various Scottish historical records and documents, particularly in the regions of Aberdeenshire and Angus. It was often spelled as "Tate" or "Tayt" during that time period.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Tait can be found in the Scottish Roll of Arms from the 16th century, where a family bearing the surname Tait is mentioned. However, there are no specific references to the name appearing in ancient texts or religious scriptures.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Tait. One of the earliest was John Tait (1589-1644), a Scottish minister and author who served as the principal of King's College, Aberdeen. Another prominent figure was Archibald Campbell Tait (1811-1882), who served as the Archbishop of Canterbury from 1868 until his death.

In the 19th century, Peter Guthrie Tait (1831-1901) was a renowned Scottish mathematical physicist and one of the founders of the modern mathematical theory of quaternions. He made significant contributions to the fields of thermodynamics and mechanics.

Another notable Tait was John Tait (1861-1932), a Scottish architect who designed several notable buildings in Glasgow, including the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.

In the realm of literature, Samuel Tait (1849-1920) was a Scottish writer and journalist known for his works on Scottish history and culture.

While the name Tait may have originated as a descriptive nickname or surname, it gradually transitioned into a first name in its own right, particularly in Scotland and other parts of the United Kingdom.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Tait was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Tait, please contact us.

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