Home › Baby Names Directory › Travis

Travis

♂ Boy

Pronounced TRAV-is /ˈtræv.ɪs/High

Meaning: From Old French traverser meaning to cross; an occupational surname for a toll collector at a bridge or crossroadsHigh

In 30 seconds: Travis is a rugged Old French occupational name meaning 'crossroads keeper' — a quintessentially American name that straddles country music, Western frontier spirit, and modern pop culture.
💕 Browse more names
Origin HighOld French, English
MeaningFrom Old French traverser meaning to cross; an occupational surname for a toll collector at a bridge or crossroads
U.S. rank (2025)#434 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births732 boys (0.04% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1989
Total births (all-time)≈ 308,559

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 198918802025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Travis derives from Old French traverser (to cross) and was an occupational surname for toll collectors at bridges or crossings. It entered English usage as a surname and later a given name.

Travis peaked as a given name in the United States in the 1980s–90s, particularly associated with Southern and country-music culture. Travis Scott has given it renewed visibility.

Did you know? Travis Bickle, Robert De Niro's iconic character in Taxi Driver (1976), and country star Travis Tritt helped cement Travis as a name of lonely highways and American restlessness.
Overall data confidence 93%
Behind the Name — Travis — etymology and historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

TrevisTravys

Nicknames

Trav

Famous Bearers

  • ★Travis Scott (1991–present)
    American rapper, record producer, and fashion designer; one of the most influential hip-hop artists of his generation.
  • ★Travis Barker (1975–present)
    American musician, drummer for the rock band Blink-182.

If you like Travis…

Tyler— shares the occupational Old French-English surname origin and the same 1990s American peak
Tucker— fellow occupational English surname-name with the same Southern masculine feel
Tanner— another occupational surname turned given name with a similar 1980s–90s peak
Trenton— shares the T-initial surname-name feel and the same American mainstream classic character

Frequently Asked

What does the name Travis mean?

Travis comes from Old French traverser meaning to cross; it was an occupational surname for toll collectors at crossings.

How do you pronounce Travis?

It is said TRAV-is /ˈtræv.ɪs/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Travis still popular?

Travis peaked in the 1980s in the U.S. and remains in steady use with renewed visibility through Travis Scott.

Is Travis a Southern name?

Travis has strong associations with Southern and country-music culture in the United States.