Find out how popular the first name Tarzan has been for the last 12 years (from 2007 to 2018) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Tarzan by gender

Based on the last 12 years of data, Tarzan is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2018, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Tarzan.

The history of the first name Tarzan

The name Tarzan is a fictional name that first appeared in the novel "Tarzan of the Apes" written by Edgar Rice Burroughs and published in 1912. The name is not derived from any specific language or culture, but rather was invented by Burroughs for the character of Tarzan, a feral child raised by apes in the African jungle.

Burroughs likely chose the name Tarzan for its exotic and primal sound, which fits the character's wild upbringing and connection to nature. The name has no known historical references or appearances in ancient texts or religious scriptures prior to the publication of Burroughs' novel.

Since its creation, the name Tarzan has become closely associated with the iconic character from Burroughs' novels and subsequent adaptations in films, television shows, and other media. While Tarzan is not a real person, the name has gained significant cultural recognition and symbolism, representing themes of survival, strength, and humanity's connection to the natural world.

Over the years, various actors have portrayed the character of Tarzan on screen, including Johnny Weissmuller, who played the role in numerous films from the 1930s to the 1940s. Other notable actors who have portrayed Tarzan include Gordon Scott, Jock Mahoney, and Christopher Lambert.

While the name Tarzan is not commonly used as a given name for real individuals, it has occasionally been adopted as a nickname or stage name by a few notable people, such as Tarzan Zed, a professional wrestler from the 1960s, and Tarzan Meyers, a football player in the 1920s.

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

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

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