Taft Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Taft has its origins in Old English, meaning 'a piece of land or homestead.' It has evolved through various historical forms to its modern usage. The name is linked to notable figures, particularly in American history, and carries a traditional image.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Taft"
Pronunciation
/tæft/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Taft likely derives from the Old English word 'taft,' meaning 'a piece of land.' It may also be related to the Old Norse word 'taft,' which means 'a dwelling or homestead.'
Meaning
a piece of land or homestead
Language Evolution
Old English: Taft, Middle English: Taft, Modern English: Taft
Historical Usage
The name Taft gained popularity in the United States, particularly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, partly due to the prominence of William Howard Taft, the 27th President of the United States.
Variants & Derivatives
Taft, Tafft
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, the name Taft is associated with historical significance and carries a sense of traditional American heritage. It is less common as a first name but remains recognized as a surname.
Famous People
William Howard Taft, Robert A. Taft
📊 Taft Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Taft Name Visualizations
✨ Taft Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 62 peak births in 1908
Geographic Spread
Popular across 7 US states, with strongest presence in Utah
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 7 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Taft"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Taft"
"Taft" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1558th of 7545 | 363 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1846th of 6773 | 281 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 2205th of 7552 | 258 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 3235th of 10718 | 160 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 4945th of 16616 | 147 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 7445th of 24088 | 145 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 5850th of 23106 | 180 |
Regional Popularity of "Taft" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - |
66.48% 1573rd/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - |
77.56% 1825th/2353 |
- |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- |
63.82% 2223rd/3483 |
- | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - |
52.71% 3934th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - |
42.43% 2663rd/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Taft" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Taft"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Taft" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Taft" in the United States
The name Taft is most popular in Utah, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Alpha generation in the West region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Taft has been stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Taft' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1558th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1846th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 2205th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 3235th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 4945th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 7445th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 5850th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Taft' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.