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Name Lineage

    The first name Tao

    A boy’s name from Chinese.

    1 syllable Male Also a surname

    Meaning and origin

    Chinese origin

    Borrowed from Mandarin 陶 (Táo).

    From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).

    Popularity

    Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025

    In 2025, 7 boys were named Tao, making it the 2,952nd most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 2023, with 14 births (#1,701).

    01020 1996200020052010201520202025
    209
    babies named Tao, 1996–2025
    #2,952
    rank in 2025
    2023
    peak year

    Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Tao with other names.

    Popularity in the United States

    Babies named Tao at birth, 1880–2025

    In 2025, 16 boys born in the United States were named Tao, the 5,824th most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 2021, when 20 were.

    01020 188018851890189519001905191019151920192519301935194019451950195519601965197019751980198519901995200020052010201520202025
    443
    babies named Tao since 1880
    #5,824
    rank in 2025
    2021
    peak year

    US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

    Famous people named Tao

    7 on Wikidata, most written-about first

    • Tao Geoghegan Hart
      British road cyclist, born 1995
    • Zhao Tao
      Chinese actress, born 1977
    • Tao Porchon-Lynch
      American Yoga Instructor, 1918–2020
    • Wang Tao
      Chinese footballer born 1970 (1970–2022)
    • Yin Tao
      Chinese actress, born 1979
    • Song Tao
      Diplomat of the People's Republic of China, born 1955
    • Keung To
      Chinese singer and actor, born 1999

    Questions

    What does the name Tao mean?
    Borrowed from Mandarin 陶 (Táo).
    What is the origin of the name Tao?
    Borrowed from Mandarin 陶 (Táo).
    How popular is the name Tao?
    In 2025, 7 boys born in England and Wales were named Tao, ranking 2,952nd. Its peak was 2023, with 14 births.
    Is Tao a boy's or a girl's name?
    Mostly a boy's name: 98% of the 443 US babies named Tao since 1880 were boys.
    When was Tao most popular?
    2021 in the United States, when 20 babies were named Tao, its highest rank at 4,913th.
    Is Tao also a surname?
    Yes. Tao is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.