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Tavish

Boy name · 11 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Tavish: 11 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 4 births in 2016.

A Scottish Gaelic form of Thomas, Tavish derives from *Tàmhas*, ultimately tracing back to the Aramaic *t’om’a* meaning “twin.” Though less common than its English counterpart, Tavish has a distinctly Highland charm and has been used steadily in Scotland since the 1970s. Notable bearers include Tavish Scott, the former Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP and Cabinet Secretary for Finance, and Tavish Sutherland, a professional footballer who played for Ross County. The name’s kinship to Thomas links it to countless places worldwide, from St Thomas in the Caribbean to Thomas rivers and towns, all sharing the same “twin” root. Tavish offers a fresh, earthy alternative to Thomas—one that feels both traditional and modern, with a subtle nod to Scotland’s Gaelic heritage.

Boy 3 of 52 years

Peak year
20164 babies
Latest (2024)
#6194 babies
Total births
11since 2006
5-year trend
≈ stablevs prior 5y
1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2016 · 4
Births per year in Scotland. Missing years had a count of 2 or fewer (suppressed by NRS).