Tau
Meaninglion · Tswana
Tau is an African boy name meaning “lion”, with Tswana roots. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds short and punchy, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with a longer middle name.
Did you know?
- GenerationTau peaked in 1976, which makes it a Gen X name. The typical Tau you'd meet today is about 49 years old. Now it's back in style, so there's a whole new generation of baby Taus too.
- Roll callIn a typical school of 500 kids, your Tau would very likely be the only one. About 1 in 344,828 baby boys got the name in 2025.
- HistoryTau first shows up in US birth records in 1976, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 49 years since.
US births per million boys, 1976–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Tau
Tau is a boy name of African origin meaning “lion”. Short and strong, it's said in a single beat and ends on an open, friendly vowel, so it pairs easily with a longer middle name. It hit its peak in the 1970s, so it feels familiar without being trendy. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.
Origin:African names
More African boy names
- Unisex name: Cairo · the victorious
- Unisex name: Asa · healer
- Unisex name: Zaire · river
- Boy name: Omari · long-lived
- Boy name: Ermias · form of Jeremiah
- Boy name: Jabari · brave, fearless
- Boy name: Paulo · small
- Unisex name: Amani · peace
Questions about the name Tau
What does the name Tau mean?
Tau means “lion” and comes from Tswana. Other boy names with a similar meaning include Leo (“lion”), Leonardo (“brave as a lion”), Leon (“lion”) and Leonel (“little lion”).
What is the origin of the name Tau?
Tau is African in origin, and its meaning traces back to Tswana. Other African names to consider are Cairo (“the victorious”), Asa (“healer”), Zaire (“river”) and Omari (“long-lived”).
Is Tau a boy or girl name?
Tau is a boy name. In 2025, 5 US boys were named Tau.
How popular is the name Tau?
Tau ranked #12,008 for US boys in 2025, given to 5 babies. Its best year was 1976, when it reached #4,418.
What names are similar to Tau?
If you like Tau, you might also like Leo, Leonardo, Leon and Leonel.
What should I know before naming my baby Tau?
Tau is an African boy name meaning “lion”, with Tswana roots. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds short and punchy, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with a longer middle name. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.