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Tawnee

♀ Girl

How to Pronounce Tawnee

Pronounced TAW-nee /ˈtɔ.ni/Medium

Meaning: Tawnee respells Tawny, from the English/Old French word 'tawny' (a warm sandy-brown), used as a given name for its color and sound.Medium

In 30 seconds: Tawnee is the color word 'tawny' turned into a name and respelled with a -ee, a warm golden-brown American girls' name that peaked around 1990 (said TAW-nee).

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Origin MediumEnglish, French

MeaningTawnee respells Tawny, from the English/Old French word 'tawny' (a warm sandy-brown), used as a given name for its color and sound.

U.S. rank (2013)#11870 ↗ Rising

2013 U.S. births9 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1990

Total births (all-time)≈ 778

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

Tawnee comes from the English adjective tawny, a warm golden- or sandy-brown, itself from Old French tanne, 'tanned'. As a given name it belongs with the color-word names, and the -ee ending is a soft American respelling of the plainer Tawny.

The name grew with the color-name fashion of the nineteen-eighties, peaked around 1990, and then eased off. It has a breezy, sun-warmed feel that keeps it likeable but firmly of its era, without a current revival.

Did you know? Tawnee crested about 1990, among nature- and color-word names like Amber, Ginger and Autumn.

Overall data confidence 68%

Behind the Name — Tawny — Old French tanne; color word

Variations

TawnyTawnieTauni

Nicknames

TawNee

Famous Bearers

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If you like Tawnee…

Tawny— the base color-word spelling it varies

Brandy— a like warm word-name girls' name of the era

Amber— another golden-brown nature name

Tammy— a matching breezy two-beat name of the period

Explore names like Tawnee

By themevintage nature

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Tawnee mean?

Tawnee is a respelling of Tawny, the English word for a warm golden-brown color.

How do you pronounce Tawnee?

It's said TAW-nee /ˈtɔ.ni/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Tawnee a boy or girl name?

Tawnee is used as a girl's name, a spelling of Tawny.

How popular is Tawnee?

Tawnee is an uncommon girls' name that was most popular around the turn of the nineteen-nineties.