Declining since 2021, #8,910 for boys today.
Popularity of Taika since 2018
Babies named Taika per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 2010s | 17 |
| 2020s | 92 |
Meaning & origin
Taika entered the U.S. baby name landscape in 2018, the same year its most famous bearer, director Taika Waititi, gained widespread recognition with 'Thor: Ragnarok'. The name peaked in 2022 and has since fallen, reflecting a trajectory that is falling since 2021. Its 2025 rank of 8910 and a 1-in-213,510 birth rate illustrate its rarity. Despite its modern debut, the name carries dual etymological possibilities: as a Finnish word for 'magic' or 'art', and as a Māori name meaning 'a gift'. Its Finnish origin is bolstered by Waititi's heritage, though the Māori connection is less certain. With no top states yet, Taika remains a niche choice, appealing to parents drawn to short, melodic names with a creative flair.
Taika has two possible origins. In Finnish, 'taika' means 'magic' or 'art', making it an appealing word name. It also appears as a Māori name, where it may mean 'a gift'. However, its use as a given name in the United States is very recent and likely influenced by the Finnish-born film director Taika Waititi, whose surname became a first name. The name first appeared in U.S. records in 2018 and has seen limited but steady use since.
“Taika” around the world
Where Taika lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
New Zealand
16
babies in 2025
Sources: NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand).
Sibling names for Taika
Names that share Taika's style, for a brother or sister.
