Declining since 2021, #6,143 for boys today.
Popularity of Taiga since 1997
Babies named Taiga per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1990s | 36 |
| 2000s | 105 |
| 2010s | 132 |
| 2020s | 82 |
Meaning & origin
Taiga entered U.S. birth records in 1997 and reached its peak popularity in 2010. Its trajectory has been falling since 2021, with a rank of 6,143 in 2025. The name is most common in California. As a Japanese name meaning 'big river', it carries a natural and masculine image. The influence of Japanese media may have contributed to its modest but sustained use in the United States.
Taiga is a Japanese name composed of the kanji 大河, meaning 'big river' (大 'big' + 河 'river'). It may also be formed from other kanji combinations such as 太河 (the same reading but with 太 meaning 'big, thick'). The name has been used in Japan since at least the late 20th century, with a notable increase in popularity for boys after the 2010s.
Where Taiga is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Tai, Gaku
Sibling names for Taiga
Names that share Taiga's style, for a brother or sister.
