Find out how popular the first name Taniela has been for the last 35 years (from 1989 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Taniela by gender

Based on the last 35 years of data, Taniela is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 9 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Taniela.

The history of the first name Taniela

The given name Taniela has its origins in the Samoan language and culture. It is a masculine name that is derived from the word "tanielā," which means "tānie" (to wander) and "lā" (day or sun). The name is believed to have emerged in the early 19th century, during the period when Samoa was first being explored by European explorers and missionaries.

Taniela is a variation of the biblical name Daniel, which is derived from the Hebrew name "Daniyyel," meaning "God is my judge." The Samoan version of the name was likely influenced by the introduction of Christianity to the islands by Christian missionaries.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Taniela can be found in the work of George Pratt, an English missionary who arrived in Samoa in 1838. In his writings, Pratt mentions several Samoan individuals with the name Taniela, indicating that the name was already in use among the local population.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Taniela. One of the most famous was Taniela Ioane (1879-1944), a Samoan chief and politician who served as a member of the Legislative Council of Samoa during the period of New Zealand administration.

Another prominent individual was Taniela Tuiā'ana (1888-1956), a Samoan pastor and educator who played a significant role in promoting education and literacy in Samoa. He was also involved in the translation of the Bible into the Samoan language.

Taniela Tupuola (1900-1986) was a Samoan politician and paramount chief who served as the Prime Minister of Samoa from 1976 to 1982. He was instrumental in guiding Samoa's transition to independence from New Zealand in 1962.

In the literary world, Taniela Sāmauū (1920-1996) was a renowned Samoan poet and writer who made significant contributions to the preservation and promotion of Samoan language and culture through his works.

Taniela Fetū'u (1945-2021) was a Samoan rugby union player who represented Samoa at the international level and played for several clubs in New Zealand and France during his career.

These individuals, among others, have helped to keep the name Taniela prominent and celebrated throughout Samoan history and culture.

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 Taniela was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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