MallowbyNames

Tadd

TAD · Short form of Thaddeus, meaning "courageous heart" or "heart" in Aramaic.

Peak popularity
1976
Usually for
Boys
Trend
Holding steady

Holding steady.

Popularity of Tadd since 1954

Babies named Tadd per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1985, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Tadd's real moment was 1976.

2141621960198020002020Most births 1985Boys
Data table (by decade)
DecadeBoys
1950s61
1960s315
1970s468
1980s368
1990s158
2000s67
2010s20
2020s0

Meaning & origin

Tadd is a variant spelling of Tad, a short form of the ancient name Thaddeus. The name has been in use in the United States since at least 1954, though it has never been common. Its highest recorded usage came in 1976, when it ranked 1454th. In recent decades, Tadd has remained stable in usage but falls well outside the top 1000. The name's biblical connection through the apostle Thaddeus gives it a subtle religious heritage, while its concise, one-syllable sound gives it a modern, straightforward feel. Though it has no strong regional ties, it has occasionally appeared in states like Texas and California. Overall, Tadd remains a rare and distinctive choice for parents seeking a name with a historical background that is not widely used.

Tadd is a variant spelling of Tad, itself a short form of Thaddeus. Thaddeus derives from the Aramaic name Thaddai, meaning "heart" or "courageous heart." In the New Testament, Thaddeus was one of the twelve apostles. The name was used in England after the Reformation, and the nickname Tad (or Tadd) emerged as an independent given name in the United States in the 20th century.

Nicknames & variants

Variants: Tad

Sibling names for Tadd

Names that share Tadd's style, for a brother or sister.

Sisters: Leah, Molly, Kate, Grace, Claire

Brothers: Jack, Sam, Will, Ben, Max

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

T is for Tadd, our favorite little boy.

T is for Tadd…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Tadd's letter becomes Tadd's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Tadd's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does the name Tadd mean?
Tadd is a short form of Thaddeus, which means "courageous heart" or "heart" in Aramaic.
How popular is the name Tadd today?
Tadd did not rank in the top 1000 names for any recent year, and its one-in-N ratio is unknown. Its peak usage was in 1976, when it ranked 1454th.
Is Tadd a boy or girl name?
Tadd is almost exclusively used as a boy's name.