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Home › Baby Names Directory › Tao

Tao

♂ Boy

Pronounced TOW /ˈtaʊ/High

Meaning: From the Chinese tao/dao — variously 'the way/path (the Tao)', 'a peach', and 'a great wave' (by character); routes layeredLow

In 30 seconds: The way; a path; a great wave: Tao is Chinese. Crisp, classic, and warm (said 'TOW'). Routes layered.
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Origin LowChinese
MeaningFrom the Chinese tao/dao — variously 'the way/path (the Tao)', 'a peach', and 'a great wave' (by character); routes layered
U.S. rank (2025)#5824 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births16 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2021
Total births (all-time)≈ 433

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202119702025

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

Tao comes from the Chinese tao/dao — variously 'the way/path (the Tao)', 'a peach', and 'a great wave' (by character; routes layered, which we note). A crisp, classic name (said 'TOW').

In the U.S. it appears in Chinese and Hmong families. Rare, the-way at the root, and crisp.

Did you know? Tao (dao) is variously 'the way/path (the Tao)', 'a peach', and 'a great wave' in Chinese (by character) — a crisp, classic name (the routes are layered, which we note; said 'TOW').
Overall data confidence 32%
References — Tao — Chinese; character-dependent

Variations

DaoTow

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

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If you like Tao…

Bao— a fellow -ao Chinese boys' name
Kai— a companion short Asian boys' name
Jian— a kin Chinese boys' name
Tai— another Chinese name
Tian— shares Tao's Chinese roots

Explore names like Tao

By themeuncertainchinese
By meaningSea / Water

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Tao mean?

Tao is Chinese, variously 'the way/path (the Tao)', 'a peach', and 'a great wave' (by character); the routes are layered.

How do you pronounce Tao?

It's said TOW /ˈtaʊ/ — one syllable (rhymes with 'now').

Is Tao a boy or girl name?

Tao is a boy's name here (it is also used for girls).

How popular is Tao?

Tao is a very rare name in the U.S.

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