Tad: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

Rank 2025

#7,619

among boys · ↑79 vs 2024

Babies in 2025

named Tad

How common

1 in 155,280

boys born in 2025

Peak year

1966

265 babies

All-time total

6,929

#1,468 all-time among boys

First recorded

1912

in Social Security records

Tad popularity over time

6,929 babies have been named Tad since 1912, according to official Social Security records. Switch measure to see births per year or the yearly rank.

Measure

Births per 1,000 babies of that sex, comparable across eras

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade	Boys	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	–	–	–	–
1890s	–	–	–	–
1900s	–	–	–	–
1910s	37	4	–	#2,292
1920s	96	10	+159%	#1,786
1930s	123	12	+28%	#1,529
1940s	201	20	+63%	#1,364
1950s	802	80	+299%	#632
1960s	1,862	186	+132%	#471
1970s	1,542	154	-17%	#576
1980s	1,035	104	-33%	#762
1990s	673	67	-35%	#1,037
2000s	318	32	-53%	#2,596
2010s	170	17	-47%	#4,337
2020s (to 2025)	70	12	-31%	#6,467

The story of Tad

Tad is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #7,619 in 2025 with 11 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 1912, 6,929 American babies have been named Tad. Its peak came in 1966, when 265 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 1960s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Tad stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Tad?

The median living Tad is about 51 years old; half are between 38 and 60. An estimated 5,900 people named Tad are alive in the United States today.

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

Tad year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year	Boys	Boys rank
2025	11	#7,619
2024	11	#7,698
2023	14	#6,467
2022	11	#7,701
2021	13	#6,631
2020	10	#7,985
2019	17	#5,530
2018	17	#5,513
2017	11	#7,481
2016	18	#5,290
2015	15	#5,956
2014	20	#4,846
2013	19	#4,955
2012	21	#4,660
2011	23	#4,337
2010	9	#8,706
2009	25	#4,147
2008	22	#4,519
2007	31	#3,500
2006	36	#3,077
2005	37	#2,893
2004	35	#2,947
2003	31	#3,105
2002	38	#2,596
2001	32	#2,920
2000	31	#2,912
1995	66	#1,474
1990	92	#1,128
1985	128	#787
1980	100	#899
1975	169	#621
1970	197	#576
1965	223	#510
1960	145	#648
1955	89	#778
1950	25	#1,497
1945	16	#1,764
1940	20	#1,567
1935	13	#2,118
1930	7	#3,557
1925	12	#2,572
1920	6	#4,229
1915	12	#2,292
1910	–	–
1905	–	–
1900	–	–
1895	–	–
1890	–	–
1885	–	–
1880	–	–

Famous people named Tad

The most globally famous bearers of the name, ranked by fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

1 Tad Williams American fantasy and science fiction writer b. 1957 · Contemporary

Portraits from Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons).

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Tad, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Tad?

The median living Tad is about 51 years old. Half of all living Tads are between 38 and 60 years old.

How many people named Tad are alive today?

An estimated 5,900 people named Tad are alive in the United States, based on 6,929 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

What does the name Tad mean?

A diminutive of the male given name Thaddeus or Thaddaeus.

How popular is the name Tad in 2025?

Tad ranked #7,619 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 11 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Tad?

6,929 babies have been named Tad in the United States since 1912, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Tad most popular?

Tad peaked in 1966, when 265 newborns received the name.

Is Tad a boy or girl name?

Tad is overwhelmingly a boy's name: 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Tad rising or falling?

Tad is declining, less popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Tad?

Well-known people named Tad include Tad Williams (writer).

Names like Tad

Names that sound and feel close to Tad: shared sounds, similar era, similar popularity. Each links to its full history.

Compare Tad with similar names → More names starting with T →