The name Tad is a diminutive of the given name Thaddeus, which has Greek origins. It means "gift of God" or "one who gives gifts." The name Thaddeus was popular among early Christians because it was one of the original names given to the apostles in the New Testament. Over time, the name evolved and became more commonly used as a standalone name rather than just a nickname for Thaddeus.
The name Tad has gained popularity over the years due to its unique sound and its association with positive characteristics such as generosity and wisdom, which are implied by its meaning. However, it is not widely known or used compared to other names like Theodore or Thomas, which also mean "gift of God" but have a more traditional and common ring to them.
In popular culture, the name Tad has been associated with several notable characters, such as Tad Lincoln, the youngest son of President Abraham Lincoln, and Tad Williams, an American fantasy author. These associations may have contributed to the familiarity of the name Tad among some people.
Overall, Tad is a unique and memorable name that has its roots in Greek Christianity. Its meaning conveys positive qualities like generosity and wisdom, making it an appealing choice for parents looking for something distinctive yet meaningful. Despite its origins as a nickname for Thaddeus, Tad has evolved into a standalone name with its own identity and history.
The name Tad experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the past century, with periods of high frequency followed by sharp declines. Between 1912 and 1954, there were relatively few births named Tad each year, with numbers ranging from five to a peak of 89 in 1955. However, beginning in 1956, the popularity of the name began to rise sharply, reaching its highest point in 1966 with 265 births.
Following this peak, the number of births named Tad started to decline steadily. By 1980, there were only 100 births with the name Tad, and this downward trend continued throughout the 1980s and 1990s. The lowest point in recent years was reached in 2007 with just 22 births named Tad.
Since then, the popularity of the name has remained relatively low but stable, with annual totals ranging from nine to 38 between 2007 and 2023, except for a brief spike in 2016 with 18 births. Overall, there were a total of 6906 births named Tad over the period from 1912 to 2023.