Taw first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Taw has been for the last 2 years (from 2017 to 2018) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Taw

Of Arabic origin meaning "wanderer" or "nomad".

Popularity of Taw by gender

Based on the last 2 years of data, Taw is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2018, there were 6 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Taw.

Year Male Count Female Count
2018 6 0
2017 6 0

The history of the first name Taw

The name Taw has its origins in the ancient Semitic languages, particularly in Aramaic and Arabic. The earliest known usage of the name can be traced back to the 1st century AD, where it was derived from the Aramaic word "taw," which means "to mark" or "to sign."

In Arabic, the name Taw (تاو) has a similar meaning, referring to the letter "taw" in the Arabic alphabet. This letter is often associated with concepts of completion, perfection, and protection, which may have influenced the name's usage and popularity in the Islamic world.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Taw appears in the ancient Syriac text, the "Chronicle of Arbela," which dates back to the 5th century AD. This text mentions a Christian martyr named Taw who lived in Persia during the persecution of Christians under the Sassanid dynasty.

The name Taw also holds significance in Jewish mysticism and the Kabbalah, where it represents the final letter of the Hebrew alphabet and is associated with the concept of truth and cosmic order. In some Kabbalistic traditions, the name Taw is believed to have protective qualities and is sometimes used in amulets or talismans.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Taw:

  1. Taw Sein Ko (1892-1964), a prominent Burmese writer and journalist known for his contributions to the Burmese literary renaissance.
  2. Taw Win (1915-1978), a Burmese politician and diplomat who served as the Prime Minister of Burma (now Myanmar) from 1962 to 1974.
  3. Taw Nar (born 1949), a Burmese actor and filmmaker who has appeared in numerous Burmese and Thai films and television series.
  4. Taw Naing (born 1965), a Burmese writer and activist who has been imprisoned multiple times for his pro-democracy and human rights advocacy.
  5. Taw Sein (1909-1994), a Burmese artist and pioneer of modern Burmese painting, known for his depictions of rural life and landscapes.

While the name Taw has its roots in ancient cultures and languages, it has maintained a presence throughout history, with individuals from various backgrounds and professions bearing this unique moniker.

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

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

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"Taw first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on June 6, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/taw-meaning-and-history/.

"Taw first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/taw-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 6 June, 2025

Taw first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/taw-meaning-and-history/.

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