Tayo

♂ Boy

Pronounced TY-oh /ˈtaɪ.oʊ/Medium

Meaning: From Yoruba, a short form of names like Adetayo/Omotayo, 'joy is enough; happiness has come; worthy of joy'; here for boys; used for both sexesMedium

In 30 seconds: Joy has come: Tayo is Yoruba for 'joy; happiness has come'. Bright, joyful, and warm. Used for both sexes (here for boys; said 'TY-oh').

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Origin MediumYoruba

MeaningFrom Yoruba, a short form of names like Adetayo/Omotayo, 'joy is enough; happiness has come; worthy of joy'; here for boys; used for both sexes

U.S. rank (2024)#5615 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births17 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2022

Total births (all-time)≈ 218

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

Tayo comes from Yoruba — a short form of names like Adetayo ('the crown is worthy of joy') and Omotayo ('the child brings joy') — 'joy; happiness has come; worthy of joy'. A bright, joyful Nigerian name, used for both sexes, here for boys (slug distinguished; said 'TY-oh').

In the U.S. it appears in Nigerian families. Rare, joy-has-come at the root, and joyful.

Did you know? Tayo means 'joy; happiness has come; worthy of joy' in Yoruba (a short form of names like Adetayo, 'the crown is worthy of joy') — a bright, joyful name, used for both sexes (here for boys; said 'TY-oh').

Overall data confidence 65%

Yoruba references — Tayo — etymology

Variations

AdetayoOmotayoTayoh

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Tayo mean?

Tayo is Yoruba for 'joy; happiness has come; worthy of joy'.

How do you pronounce Tayo?

It's said TY-oh /ˈtaɪ.oʊ/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Tayo a boy or girl name?

Tayo is used for both sexes; this page covers its use as a boy's name.

How popular is Tayo?

Tayo is a rare name in the U.S.