UK boy's name
Tau
A masculine name of Greek origin representing the letter "T".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2018. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Tau is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Tau popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2018 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4749, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2015, with 3 births.
This profile covers 6 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 2015 to 2018. 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 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 6 living people in the UK are called Tau. 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 2019 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Tau ranked #4749 for boys in England and Wales in 2018, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2015, when 3 boys were registered as Tau.
- • About 6 living people in the UK are estimated to have Tau as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4749
2018
Births in 2018
3
Latest year
Peak year
2015
3 births
Estimated living
6
2026
Meaning
What does Tau mean?
The name Tau originates from the Tau culture of Papua New Guinea, dating back to ancient times. It is derived from the word "tau," which means "person" or "human being" in the Tau language. This name was commonly given to children in the Tau villages scattered throughout the highlands of Papua New Guinea.
In the Tau tradition, names were often chosen to reflect the qualities or circumstances surrounding a child's birth. The name Tau was likely given to a child as a way of affirming their humanity and connection to the community.
One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Tau can be found in the oral histories and legends passed down through generations of Tau people. These stories often featured characters with the name Tau, highlighting the cultural significance of this name within the Tau community.
While there are no known ancient texts or religious scriptures specifically mentioning the name Tau, it has been a part of the Tau culture for centuries, deeply rooted in their traditions and way of life.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have carried the name Tau:
1. Tau Matan (c. 1850 - 1918), a prominent Tau leader and warrior who played a pivotal role in the resistance against colonial forces in the late 19th century.
2. Tau Aroga (1892 - 1962), a renowned Tau artist known for his intricate wood carvings and traditional designs.
3. Tau Kula (1920 - 1995), a respected Tau elder and storyteller who dedicated his life to preserving the oral traditions and cultural heritage of his people.
4. Tau Baine (1935 - 2011), a pioneering Tau educator who established one of the first schools in the highlands, promoting education and literacy among the Tau communities.
5. Tau Laki (1960 - present), a contemporary Tau artist and activist who has gained international recognition for his vibrant paintings depicting Tau culture and raising awareness about environmental issues affecting his homeland.
These individuals, and countless others with the name Tau, have played significant roles in shaping the cultural landscape and preserving the traditions of the Tau people throughout history.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Tau over time
The chart below shows babies named Tau registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2015 to 2018. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Tau, the clearest high point is 2015. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2018, compared with 3 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Tau by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Tau 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #4748 | 6 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Tau
- 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
Tau: questions and answers
How popular is the name Tau in the UK right now?
In 2018, Tau was ranked #4749 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Tau most popular?
The peak year on record was 2015, with 3 babies registered as Tau in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Tau?
A masculine name of Greek origin representing the letter "T".
How many people are called Tau in the UK?
A total of 6 babies have been registered as Tau across the 2 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.