"great, supreme, exalted"
Origin: Chinese
Language: English
Tai
Pronunciation: [ t-EYE ]
Does Tai flow with your last name?
A powerful single-syllable name meaning great and supremely talented
Chinese
Vietnamese
Thai
Welsh
American
Minimalist
Bold
Modern
Strong
Elegant
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"talented, gifted"
Origin: Vietnamese
Language: English
"gift of God (via Welsh David)"
Origin: Welsh/Hebrew
Language: English
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Things to Know About This Name
- In some contexts 'Thai' (the same pronunciation) refers to the country Thailand, which may cause minor confusion
The Story of Tai
Tai has multiple origins across Asian cultures. In Chinese, Tai (太 or 台) means 'great, exalted, extreme' — as in Tai Chi (太極, 'supreme ultimate') or Taishan (太山, 'great mountain'). In Vietnamese, Tài means 'talented, gifted.' In Welsh, Tai is a form of the name David (via Dafydd → Dai → Tai). The name's single-syllable power gives it punch across all these traditions.
Tai has grown steadily in the West as cross-cultural, minimalist names have become fashionable. Parents attracted to short, strong names like Kai and Rey have discovered Tai as an equally impactful option with deeper multicultural roots. Its use by diverse communities reflects American multiculturalism.
Tai Chi (太極拳), the Chinese martial art and philosophy, has made 'Tai' recognizable globally as associated with balance, supreme wisdom, and the ultimate principle of the universe. In Chinese cosmology, 'Tai' denotes the pinnacle — the highest, the great, the absolute.
Historical Record
Tai first appeared in US Social Security records in 1963.
Over 3,059 babies have been named Tai in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Tai is past its peak , currently ranked #2,404 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- 'Tai Chi' (太極) literally translates to 'supreme ultimate,' making Tai a name that carries cosmic significance in Chinese philosophy
- In Welsh, Tai is the plural of 'tŷ' (house), but as a given name it derives from Dafydd (the Welsh form of David)
Tai in Other Languages
Welsh
Tai
Korean
타이
Chinese
太 / 台
Japanese
タイ
Vietnamese
Tài
Popularity Over Time
#2,404
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Peaked 2003
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Tai
T
Tai Lopez
Business
1977
American internet entrepreneur and investor known for his social media presence and investment philosophy
T
Tai Babilonia
Athlete
1959
American figure skater who won the 1979 World Pairs Championship with Randy Gardner
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Compare Tai with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #2,404
- Total SSA Count
- 58
- Cultural Origins
- Chinese Vietnamese Thai Welsh American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Tai
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Tai is also used as a girl name, ranked #9380.
View Tai as a girl name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (Chinese)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Tai
What does the name Tai mean?
"great, supreme, exalted" (from Chinese). "talented, gifted" (from Vietnamese). "gift of God (via Welsh David)" (from Welsh/Hebrew). Tai has multiple origins across Asian cultures. In Chinese, Tai (太 or 台) means 'great, exalted, extreme' — as in Tai Chi (太極, 'supreme ultimate') or Taishan (太山, 'great mountain'). In Vietnamese, Tài means 'talented, gifted.' In Welsh, Tai is a form of the name David (via Dafydd → Dai → Tai). The name's single-syllable power gives it punch across all these traditions.
What is the origin of the name Tai?
Tai has Chinese, Vietnamese, Welsh/Hebrew, Thai, Welsh, and American origins. In Chinese, it means "great, supreme, exalted". In Vietnamese, it means "talented, gifted". In Welsh/Hebrew, it means "gift of God (via Welsh David)".
Is Tai a boy or girl name?
Tai is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #2404. As a girl name, it is ranked #9380. Tai is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Tai?
Tai is pronounced t-EYE.
How popular is the name Tai?
Tai is currently ranked #2404 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Tai?
Popular middle name pairings include Tai James, Tai Lee, Tai Michael, Tai Ryan, Tai Alexander, Tai Jordan, and Tai Anthony.
What are good sibling names for Tai?
Names that pair well with Tai as siblings include Kai, Mei, Zara, Kira, Jax, Luna, and Remy.
How many syllables does Tai have?
Tai has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Tai a common or rare name?
Tai is an uncommon name, ranked #2404 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Tai?
About the Name Tai
Tai is a boy name with Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, Welsh, and American origins . The name means "great, supreme, exalted" in Chinese .
Is Tai a boy or girl name? Tai is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #2,404 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #9,380. Tai is more commonly used as a boy name.
Tai is currently ranked #2,404 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Tai has 1 syllable and is pronounced t-EYE, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Alternative spellings of Tai include Taim, Taiden . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis