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Tais
How to Pronounce Tais
Pronounced tah-EES /tɑˈis/Medium
Meaning: Tais is a form of Thaïs, borne by a famous Athenian courtesan who accompanied Alexander the Great and by an early Christian saint. Its ancient meaning is unclear, sometimes linked to a Greek word for 'bandage' or 'beloved'; the Portuguese Taís keeps the two-beat 'tah-EES' sound.Low
Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.
History & Origin
Tais descends from the Greek Thaïs, the name of a celebrated courtesan of Alexander's era and, later, of a repentant saint whose story inspired Anatole France's novel and Massenet's opera 'Thaïs.' The exact meaning is debated. In the Americas the name traveled chiefly through Brazilian Portuguese as Taís, keeping its distinctive final stress.
Never common in the United States, Tais touched a modest high point around 2001 and has stayed rare. As an established name in Portuguese it is not a revival case here but simply an uncommon import; parents drawn to it usually have Lusophone roots or a taste for its short, striking sound.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Tais mean?
Tais comes from the Greek name Thaïs, of uncertain meaning, used in Portuguese as Taís.
How do you pronounce Tais?
It's said tah-EES /tɑˈis/ — two syllables, stress on the second.
Is Tais a boy or girl name?
Tais is used as a girl's name.
How popular is Tais?
Tais is rare in the United States and better known in Portuguese-speaking countries.