Tank

♂ Boy

Pronounced TANK /ˈtæŋk/High

Meaning: The English word tank, used as a nickname for someone large, sturdy or unstoppable — a familiar sports and locker-room nickname turned given name. It carries a military association through the armoured vehicle, which we note.Medium

In 30 seconds: A nickname turned name: Tank means big, sturdy, unstoppable (said 'TANK'). It carries a military echo, which we note.

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Origin MediumEnglish

MeaningThe English word tank, used as a nickname for someone large, sturdy or unstoppable — a familiar sports and locker-room nickname turned given name. It carries a military association through the armoured vehicle, which we note.

U.S. rank (2024)#13960 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2010

Total births (all-time)≈ 163

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

Tank is an English word-name straight from the nickname shelf: the big kid, the immovable lineman, the toddler built like a bulldozer. Behind it stands the armoured vehicle, whose name came from a First World War cover story about crates of water tanks — a military association we note plainly. Blunt, affectionate, and American (said 'TANK').

It appears only rarely for boys in the U.S. Rare, nickname-style, and sturdy.

Did you know? Tank has long been a sports nickname for the player nobody can move — and the armoured vehicle behind the word got its own name from a wartime cover story about shipping water tanks. We note the military echo (said 'TANK').

Overall data confidence 50%

References — Tank — English word-name; nickname use; military association

Variations

Tanc

Nicknames

Tanky

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Tank mean?

Tank is the English word used as a nickname for someone big, sturdy and unstoppable. It also carries a military association, which we note.

How do you pronounce Tank?

It's said TANK /ˈtæŋk/ — one syllable.

Is Tank a boy or girl name?

Tank is a boy's name.

How popular is Tank?

Tank is a rare name for boys in the U.S.