Tavia
An English feminine name of uncertain origin, potentially derived from Latin.
Name Census estimates that about 2,347 living Americans carry the first name Tavia. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Tavia today is around 34 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Tavia births was 1993 (104 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Tavia. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
2.3K
~ 1 in 146,039 Americans
Peak year
1993
104 babies that year
Average age
34
years old
2024 SSA rank
#12,010
Tracked since 1944
Popularity
Tavia: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Tavia from the 1940s through to the 2020s, spanning 9 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1990s, with 591 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1990s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Tavia by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Tavia during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Tavias live
The SSA's state-level files cover 13 states and territories. California, New York, Texas recorded the most babies named Tavia, while Wisconsin, Utah, Tennessee recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 25 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Tavia
The name Tavia is derived from the Latin word "tavis," which means "peacock." It has its roots in the ancient Roman culture and can be traced back to the 1st century AD.
The earliest recorded use of the name Tavia dates back to the Roman Empire, where it was a relatively uncommon name. It gained popularity in the later centuries, particularly in Italy and other parts of Europe that were heavily influenced by Roman culture.
One of the earliest documented individuals with the name Tavia was a Roman noblewoman named Tavia Quintilia, who lived during the 2nd century AD. She was known for her philanthropic efforts and her support for the arts.
In the 5th century, there was a Saint Tavia, a Christian martyr who was killed for her faith during the persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire. Her story is recorded in various early Christian texts, and she is revered in some Christian traditions.
During the Renaissance period, the name Tavia experienced a resurgence in popularity, particularly in Italy. One notable figure from this time was Tavia Colonna, an Italian noblewoman and poet who lived from 1492 to 1548. She was known for her literary works and her patronage of the arts.
Another significant figure in history with the name Tavia was Tavia Arundel, an English aristocrat and philanthropist who lived from 1561 to 1643. She was a prominent figure in the court of King James I and was known for her charitable works and support of education.
In the 19th century, Tavia Louisa Puliga was an Italian opera singer who gained fame for her performances in Italy and other parts of Europe. She lived from 1810 to 1892 and was celebrated for her vocal talents and stage presence.
Throughout history, the name Tavia has been associated with elegance, grace, and a connection to the arts and culture. While it has remained relatively uncommon, it has been embraced by those who appreciate its unique sound and rich historical roots.
People
Tavia + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Tavia as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with T
Other first names starting with T with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Tavia: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Tavia?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 2,347 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Tavia going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 146,039 US residents.
Is Tavia a common name?
We classify Tavia as "Rare". It ranks above 94.3% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 2,477 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Tavia most popular?
The single biggest year for Tavia was 1993, when 104 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Tavia is about 34 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Tavia a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Tavia in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.