Tawny Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Tawny originates from Middle English and is associated with the meaning 'light brown.' The term evolved from Old French and has been used in English since the Middle Ages. It reflects traits of warmth and earthiness, with no biblical relevance. Its popularity surged in modern times, especially in the late 20th century, and it is often perceived as a unique and feminine name.
The name Tawny is most popular in California, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Millennials (Gen Y) generation in the West region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Tawny has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Tawny' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 2167th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 1668th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 1146th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 4695th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 16017th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Tawny' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Tawny"
Pronunciation
/ˈtɔːni/
Origin
Middle English
Etymology
The name Tawny is derived from the Middle English term 'tawny,' which means 'tawny color' or 'light brown.' It is related to the Old French 'tané,' meaning 'tanned' or 'light brown,' which itself comes from the Latin word 'tannare,' meaning 'to tan.'
Meaning
light brown
Language Evolution
Old French: tané, Middle English: tawny, Modern English: tawny
Historical Usage
The name Tawny gained popularity in the English-speaking world during the late 20th century, often used to describe a warm, earthy color and as a given name for girls.
Variants & Derivatives
Tawn, Tawna
Modern Popularity & Image
Tawny is perceived as a feminine name associated with warmth and nature, often favored for its unique and soft sound.
Famous People
Tawny Cypress, an American actress, Tawny Kitaen, an American actress and media personality
Explore More Tawny Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Tawny"
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 "Tawny"
"Tawny" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 2167th of 12526 | 496 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 1668th of 19264 | 921 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 1146th of 27321 | 2,310 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 4695th of 35406 | 454 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 16017th of 30306 | 47 |
Regional Popularity of "Tawny" by Generation for Male 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) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Tawny" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
85.77% 1910th/2227 |
74.32% 1806th/2430 |
- |
52.94% 1469th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
70.79% 2079th/2937 |
100.00% 3483rd/3483 |
83.12% 2924th/3518 |
22.53% 911th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
36.96% 1362nd/3685 |
60.20% 2694th/4475 |
37.62% 1954th/5194 |
10.59% 669th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - |
72.69% 5316th/7313 |
40.94% 3055th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Tawny"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Tawny" 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.