NameCensus.

UK name, mostly boys

Tay

Variant spelling of the Scottish surname meaning "fortunate, prosperous".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2023. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Tay is mostly registered for boys in the UK records. People looking for Tay popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2023 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3523, with 5 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2004, with 9 births.

This profile covers 94 England and Wales registrations across 19 recorded years from 1996 to 2023. 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 56% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 93 living people in the UK are called Tay. 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 2024 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Tay ranked #3523 for boys in England and Wales in 2023, with 5 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2004, when 9 boys were registered as Tay.
  • About 93 living people in the UK are estimated to have Tay as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
  • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 89.5% of Tay registrations are for boys.

Latest rank (E&W)

#3523

2023

Births in 2023

5

Latest year

Peak year

2004

9 births

Estimated living

93

2026

Gender

Boy and girl registrations for Tay

In England and Wales birth records, Tay has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 89.5% of registrations are for boys and 10.5% are for girls.

These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.

90% boys
Boys94 (89.5%)Girls11 (10.5%)

Tay registered for boys

  • Ranked #3,523 in 2023
  • 5 boys registered in 2023
  • Peak: 2004 (9 births)

Tay registered for girls

  • Ranked #5,556 in 2009
  • 3 girls registered in 2009
  • Peak: 2000 (5 births)

Meaning

What does Tay mean?

The name Tay originates from the Old English word "tæg," which means "prosperous" or "fortunate." This name has its roots in Anglo-Saxon culture and was commonly used in medieval England.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Tay can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name appears in various spellings, such as Tæg, Tæi, and Tæge, indicating its widespread use during that time period.

In ancient Norse mythology, Tay was also the name of a minor deity associated with good fortune and prosperity. This connection further reinforces the positive connotations associated with the name.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Tay. One of the earliest examples is Tay ap Sitsyllt, a Welsh prince who lived in the 7th century and played a significant role in the defense of Wales against Anglo-Saxon invasions.

Another prominent figure was Tay Guan Gu, a Chinese military strategist and philosopher who lived during the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220 AD). His writings on military tactics and strategy have had a lasting impact on Chinese military thought.

In the realm of literature, Tay John O'Brien was an Irish-American writer and journalist who lived from 1878 to 1958. He is best known for his novel "The Autobiography of a Navajo," which provided a rare glimpse into the life and culture of the Navajo people.

Tay Garnett, an American film director and writer who lived from 1894 to 1977, is also notable for his contributions to the film industry. He directed several popular films, including "The Postman Always Rings Twice" and "Bataan."

Finally, Tay Ninh, a city in southern Vietnam, takes its name from the Vietnamese name Tây Ninh, which means "western border citadel." This name reflects the city's historical significance as a strategic location during various military conflicts in the region.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Tay over time

The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Tay in England and Wales, from 1996 to 2023. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Tay, the clearest high point is 2004. The latest England and Wales figure is 5 births in 2023, compared with 9 at the peak.

Babies born per year

BoysGirls
036912199620092023

Decades

Tay by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Tay 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 #4066 8 2
2010s #3749 28 6
2000s #2460 49 8
1990s #2874 9 3

Related

Names similar to Tay

FAQ

Tay: questions and answers

How popular is the name Tay in the UK right now?

In 2023, Tay was ranked #3523 for boys in England and Wales, with 5 births registered.

When was Tay most popular?

The peak year on record was 2004, with 9 babies registered as Tay in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Tay?

Variant spelling of the Scottish surname meaning "fortunate, prosperous".

How many people are called Tay in the UK?

A total of 94 babies have been registered as Tay across the 19 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.