Declining since 2015, #7,679 for boys today.
Popularity of Taft since 1907
Babies named Taft per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1900s | 130 |
| 1910s | 192 |
| 1920s | 74 |
| 1930s | 155 |
| 1940s | 152 |
| 1950s | 131 |
| 1960s | 126 |
| 1970s | 97 |
| 1980s | 89 |
| 1990s | 75 |
| 2000s | 93 |
| 2010s | 161 |
| 2020s | 69 |
Meaning & origin
Taft is a rare American given name, primarily used for boys, with recorded usage dating back to at least 1907. It reached its highest popularity in 1908, the year William Howard Taft was elected president, and has since declined. In 2025, Taft ranked 7,679th, with approximately 1 in 170,808 boys receiving the name. Its trajectory has been falling since 2015, reflecting a continued decrease in use. The name saw a modest spike in the 1900s and has never been widely popular. As a presidential surname, it carries a distinguished if infrequent appeal, often chosen by parents seeking a unique and historically resonant name.
Taft is an English surname of uncertain origin. It may derive from a place name, such as Taft in East Yorkshire, which comes from Old English *taft*, thought to mean "homestead" or "enclosure." Alternatively, it could be a nickname for a person with a tuft of hair, from Old French *taffe* (a variant of *touffe*). As a given name, Taft has been used sparingly in the United States, likely inspired by President William Howard Taft.
Sibling names for Taft
Names that share Taft's style, for a brother or sister.
