UK boy's name
Tayo
A Filipino masculine name derived from the Tagalog word meaning "to drift".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Tayo is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Tayo popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #1460, with 18 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2022, with 19 births.
This profile covers 259 England and Wales registrations across 25 recorded years from 1996 to 2024. 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 95% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 257 living people in the UK are called Tayo. 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 2025 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Tayo ranked #1460 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 18 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2022, when 19 boys were registered as Tayo.
- • About 257 living people in the UK are estimated to have Tayo as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#1460
2024
Births in 2024
18
Latest year
Peak year
2022
19 births
Estimated living
257
2026
Meaning
What does Tayo mean?
The name Tayo originated from the Yoruba language spoken in southwestern Nigeria and neighboring countries. It dates back to the pre-colonial era of West Africa, before the 15th century. Tayo is derived from the Yoruba words "ta" meaning "to return" and "yo" meaning "to rejoice or celebrate". The name signifies joy upon the return of something or someone desired.
One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Tayo can be found in the Iwe Ifa, a collection of spiritual writings from the Yoruba religion. The text, which dates back to the 16th century, references a person named Tayo who played a significant role in the community's spiritual traditions.
During the 17th century, a notable figure named Tayo Akinsanya rose to prominence as a respected leader and diplomat in the Oyo Empire, which spanned parts of modern-day Nigeria, Benin, and Togo. His diplomatic efforts were instrumental in maintaining peace and trade relations between the Oyo Empire and neighboring kingdoms.
In the 19th century, Tayo Aluko, a Yoruba philosopher and writer, gained recognition for his insightful works exploring Yoruba culture and beliefs. His writings provided valuable insights into the traditions and worldview of the Yoruba people.
Another influential individual with the name Tayo was Tayo Agunbiade, a Nigerian politician and statesman who played a crucial role in the country's independence movement in the mid-20th century. He served as a member of the Nigerian Legislative Council and advocated for self-governance and the rights of indigenous peoples.
In more recent times, Tayo Oladunjoye, a Nigerian-American artist and educator, has gained recognition for her contributions to the arts. Her vibrant paintings and sculptures celebrate African culture and explore themes of identity and diaspora.
While the name Tayo has its roots in West Africa, it has gained popularity globally, transcending cultural and linguistic boundaries. Its meaning of joy and celebration resonates across diverse communities, making it a cherished name for children around the world.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Tayo over time
The chart below shows babies named Tayo registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Tayo, the clearest high point is 2022. The latest England and Wales figure is 18 births in 2024, compared with 19 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Tayo by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Tayo 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 | #1451 | 87 | 5 |
| 2010s | #2265 | 100 | 10 |
| 2000s | #2336 | 67 | 9 |
| 1990s | #2020 | 5 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Tayo
- 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
Tayo: questions and answers
How popular is the name Tayo in the UK right now?
In 2024, Tayo was ranked #1460 for boys in England and Wales, with 18 births registered.
When was Tayo most popular?
The peak year on record was 2022, with 19 babies registered as Tayo in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Tayo?
A Filipino masculine name derived from the Tagalog word meaning "to drift".
How many people are called Tayo in the UK?
A total of 259 babies have been registered as Tayo across the 25 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.