Tay is a name of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic word "Tathaig," which means "to come in peace." It is believed to have been a name used by several ancient Scottish clans, including the Mackintoshes and the MacKays.
The earliest recorded use of the name Tay can be traced back to the 13th century, when Thomas de Taya was listed as a witness to a charter granted by Alexander III of Scotland. Over time, the name has evolved phonetically from "Tathaig" to "Tai," and eventually to its modern form, "Tay."
Today, Tay is still predominantly used in Scotland, but it has also gained popularity internationally, particularly among those looking for unique yet meaningful names for their children. While some people may associate the name with the River Tay in Scotland or the popular computer program Tay, which was developed by Microsoft, the name's true origins and significance lie in its ancient Scottish roots.
In summary, Tay is a Scottish name of Gaelic origin that means "to come in peace." It has been used for centuries by various Scottish clans and has evolved phonetically over time. Today, it remains a popular choice among those seeking distinctive names with rich historical backgrounds.
Based on the statistics provided, it's interesting to observe the trends of the name Tay over several decades in the United States.
The name Tay first appeared in the records in 1956 with a total of 5 births that year. It then fluctuated slightly with 6 births in 1958, followed by another 5 births in 1959. There was a gap of three years before the name re-emerged with 6 births in 1962.
There was another surge in popularity for Tay in 1964 with 10 births recorded that year. After that peak, there was a decline and then stability over several decades, with 7 births in 1971 and 6 births each in 1976 and 1990.
In the most recent year provided, 2018, there were again 5 births recorded for the name Tay. Overall, across these years, a total of 55 babies were given the name Tay at birth in the United States. This data shows us how the popularity of this name has varied over time, with peaks and troughs in different decades.