Tane" is a name of Maori origin, the indigenous people of New Zealand. In the Maori language, "tane" means "man" or "male". It is used as both a given name and a title of respect for men in Maori culture.
The name Tane has significant historical importance in Maori mythology. According to tradition, Tane Mahuta is the god of the forest and one of the four major gods in Maori cosmology. He is considered the father of all life on Earth, having separated earth and sky to create space for humans to live.
The use of the name Tane as a given name has become more common in recent years, not just among Maori people but also among non-Maori New Zealanders who wish to honor the indigenous culture. However, it remains relatively rare compared to other names.
In terms of its sound and appearance, Tane is a simple yet powerful name consisting of three letters. It starts with a strong consonant sound "t" followed by a relaxed vowel sound "a", and ends with another consonant sound "n". This gives the name a balanced and rhythmic feel when spoken aloud.
Overall, the name Tane carries significant cultural and historical significance while also having a unique and distinctive sound that sets it apart from more common names.
The name Tane has seen varied popularity over the years in the United States, with a total of 159 babies given this name since 1955.
In the early years recorded, Tane's popularity was quite low, with only 5 births each year from 1955 to 1960. However, there was a significant increase in its usage in 1961, with 24 babies being named Tane that year.
The name continued to see fluctuations in popularity over the next few decades. It reached another peak in 1963 with 26 births, but then dropped again to single digits in the following years. There was a brief resurgence in the late 70s and early 80s, with consistent 5-6 births each year from 1974 to 1984.
After a dip in the late 80s, Tane's popularity saw another spike in the mid-90s, with 7 babies being named Tane in 1994. However, this increase was not sustained, and the name's usage decreased again in the early 2000s, with only 5 births recorded in 2004.
Overall, while Tane has not been one of the most popular names in the U.S., it has maintained a consistent, albeit low, level of usage over the decades.