Total births
1,040
Unisex name · since 1975
Thao
Thao has 1,040 recorded births since 1975 in federal Social Security data, most heavily in 1984 -- full year-by-year trend, decade aggregates, and state rankings follow.
- 1,040
- total births
- 1975–2017
- years on record
- 1980s
- peak decade
- 41%
- born in that decade
Thao sits outside today's top ranks for girls, with 1,040 recorded since 1975.
According to the U.S. Social Security Administration, Thao has been recorded 1,040 times among girls since 1975, though it is not among the currently most-used girls names, with its heaviest use in the 1980s. This profile covers year-by-year birth trends, decade totals, and state-level distribution, all derived directly from SSA birth-registration files spanning 1975 to 2017.
- 1,040 total births
- 1975–2017 years on record
- 1980s peak decade
- 41% born in that decade
Data updated Jun 2026
The verdict
1,040 girls have been named Thao since 1975, peaking in the 1980s, last recorded in 2017.
- 1,040
- total births
- 1975–2017
- years on record
- 1980s
- peak decade
- 41%
- born in that decade
1980s
Peak decade
41% of everyone ever named Thao was born in this single decade.
1984
Single peak year
58 babies were named Thao in 1984 - its busiest year on record.
Thao's usage pattern, beyond the headline number
Divide Thao's SSA record in two at 1996 and the more recent half accounts for 28% of all births, the earlier half the remaining 72%, consistent with a name more common in the past than in recent years. Its calmest year was 2012, with only 5 births recorded -- set against the 1984 peak of 58, that's the full swing in one name's fortunes.
Thao at a glance
Last recorded 2017Peak year
1984
Current rank
Unranked
Active since
1975
Thao popularity over time - girls
Annual U.S. births registered with the Social Security Administration · 1975–2017
- Peak year (1984)
- 58
- Annual births at peak, across 43 years of records
Thao popularity over time - boys
197 total births recorded since 1979 (Thao as boys' name)
Thao by decade
Total births in each ten-year window, peak vs trough at a glance
1980s was Thao's strongest decade.
424 babies received the name during that ten-year window, about 41% of all-time use.
Thao births by decade
Total births in each ten-year window
- 1970s 62
1970s
62 births
- 1980s
1980s
424 births
- 1990s
1990s
375 births
- 2000s 131
2000s
131 births
- 2010s 48
2010s
48 births
What this shows Peak: 1980s at 424 births (41% of all-time use).
How Thao compares to similarly-sized names
Years in SSA records vs. share of all-time use concentrated in the single peak year, among 15 girls names closest to Thao's total volume
Thao vs 15 similarly-sized girls names
Thao by state
Where Thao concentrates geographically, total births since 1975
| Rank | State | Visual share | Births | Share of total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | California | | 289 | 27.8% |
| #2 | Texas | | 101 | 9.7% |
| #3 | Louisiana | | 27 | 2.6% |
| #4 | Colorado | | 5 | 0.5% |
| #5 | Washington | | 5 | 0.5% |
California share of Thao's total US births 27.8%
Even split
289 of 1,040 births nationwide. Compared to a flat distribution across 5 reporting states.
Frequently Asked Questions
How popular is the name Thao? ▼
Since 1975, Social Security records show 1,040 babies named Thao. The most recent recorded year was 2017. Its busiest year on record was 1984, with 58 births.
When was Thao most popular? ▼
Thao was most popular in the 1980s decade with 424 total births. The single peak year was 1984.
Where is Thao most popular? ▼
The top states for the name Thao are California (289 births), Texas (101 births), Louisiana (27 births).
Is Thao a unisex name? ▼
Yes, Thao is used for both boys and girls. As a girl's name it has 1,040 births, and as a boy's name it has 197 births.
How long has the name Thao been used? ▼
Thao has been recorded in Social Security data since 1975, spanning 43 years of data through 2017.
What names are similar to Thao? ▼
Names with a similar sound or spelling include Thalia, Thais, Thania, Thanh, and 4 more. These share a common prefix and are also used for girls.
What to do with Thao's data
- Thao's decade-level peak was the 1980s (424 total births); usage has since declined to 48 in the 2010s -- if you're weighing a "classic revival" angle, the trend line argues against it.
- California records the most Thaos (289 births) -- see the full state breakdown if geography matters to your decision. California names
- Weighing it against an alternative? Put two names side by side. Compare names
Figures reflect SSA-reported births only; see the methodology above for the privacy-suppression floor.
Keep exploring Thao
Nearby Names Like Thao
Names with a similar sound, spelling, or feel to Thao
Thalia Girl
#653 16,264 births
Thais Girl
#4212 2,225 births
Thania Girl
#10432 1,426 births
Thanh Girl
650 births
Thaily Girl
#8749 505 births
Compare Thao side by side: Thao vs Thalia Thao vs Thais Thao vs Thania
Related Names
Names with a similar number of total births
Data Sources
Data as of June 2026. Source: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA).
According to the Social Security Administration, this profile draws directly from the agency's public-use baby-name files (updated June 2026). See our methodology for the full extraction, aggregation, and privacy-suppression rules.
Primary: Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, Baby Names from Social Security Card Applications, National Data, 1975–2017 (ssa.gov/oact/babynames).
State-level: Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, Baby Names, State-Level Files (namesbystate.zip).
Cite this page
NameAlmanac Editorial. "Thao: Baby Name Since 1975 - 1,040 Births, Peak 1984." NameAlmanac. Accessed via https://namealmanac.com/name/thao. Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Name Almanac is rendered directly from the Social Security Administration's public baby-name files, no number is typed in by an editor. This profile for Thao draws directly on SSA national and state-level files, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of June 2026.