UK boy's name
Tane
A Māori name meaning "man" or "male".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2021. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Tane is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Tane popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2021 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3451, with 5 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2010, with 10 births.
This profile covers 60 England and Wales registrations across 12 recorded years from 1999 to 2021. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 50% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 60 living people in the UK are called Tane. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2022 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Tane ranked #3451 for boys in England and Wales in 2021, with 5 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2010, when 10 boys were registered as Tane.
- • About 60 living people in the UK are estimated to have Tane as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3451
2021
Births in 2021
5
Latest year
Peak year
2010
10 births
Estimated living
60
2026
Meaning
What does Tane mean?
The name Tane is believed to have its origins in ancient Polynesian mythology, particularly in the traditions of the Maori people of New Zealand. It is derived from the Maori word "tāne," which means "man" or "male."
In Maori mythology, Tane is the name of the god of forests and birds. He is one of the children of the primordial parents, Ranginui (the sky father) and Papatuanuku (the earth mother). According to legend, Tane separated his parents, allowing light and life to flourish in the world.
The name Tane has been in use among the Maori people for centuries, with its earliest recorded instances dating back to the 16th century. It was commonly given to male children as a way of honoring the god Tane and invoking his protection and strength.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Tane was Tane Mahuta, a legendary figure in Maori tradition. He was said to be the personification of the god Tane and was revered as the father of the forests and all living things within them.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals with the name Tane, including:
1. Tane Tuwhangai (c. 1810-1894), a Maori chief and leader from the Ngati Whatua iwi (tribe) in northern New Zealand. 2. Tane Tinorau (c. 1770-1845), a Maori chief and warrior from the Nga Puhi iwi, known for his role in the Musket Wars of the early 19th century. 3. Tane Ngakura (1901-1993), a Maori leader and expert in traditional Maori knowledge and practices. 4. Tane Tuwhare (1923-2008), a renowned Maori poet and writer, widely regarded as one of New Zealand's most significant literary figures. 5. Tane Norton (born 1973), a New Zealand actor and director, best known for his roles in films like "Once Were Warriors" and "Whale Rider."
While the name Tane has its roots in Maori culture, it has also been adopted and used in other parts of the world, particularly in areas with significant Polynesian populations. However, its historical and cultural significance remains deeply tied to the Maori people and their rich traditions.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Tane over time
The chart below shows babies named Tane registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1999 to 2021. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Tane, the clearest high point is 2010. The latest England and Wales figure is 5 births in 2021, compared with 10 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Tane by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Tane was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #3451 | 5 | 1 |
| 2010s | #3863 | 16 | 3 |
| 2000s | #2987 | 35 | 7 |
| 1990s | #2425 | 4 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Tane
- Thomas 160,894
- Tyler 42,147
- Theo 40,594
- Toby 32,482
- Theodore 30,211
- Tommy 25,300
- Teddy 20,781
- Taylor 14,354
- Tobias 13,102
- Tom 9,822
- Tristan 9,171
- Timothy 6,200
FAQ
Tane: questions and answers
How popular is the name Tane in the UK right now?
In 2021, Tane was ranked #3451 for boys in England and Wales, with 5 births registered.
When was Tane most popular?
The peak year on record was 2010, with 10 babies registered as Tane in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Tane?
A Māori name meaning "man" or "male".
How many people are called Tane in the UK?
A total of 60 babies have been registered as Tane across the 12 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.