The name Tavis is of Scottish origin and means "from the towhead." It is derived from the Scottish surname McTavish, which was originally an occupational name for a tanner or leather worker. The name became popular as a given name in Scotland during the 19th century.
One of the earliest known references to the name Tavis can be found in the records of Berwickshire, Scotland, where a Thomas Tavish is listed as a witness in a legal document dated around 1560. Over time, the name has undergone various spelling variations, including Tavish, Taviss, and even Taivis.
Tavis was brought to North America by Scottish immigrants who settled in Canada and the United States during the 18th and 19th centuries. Today, it is still most commonly found in Scotland and among people of Scottish descent living elsewhere in the world.
In popular culture, there are a few notable figures with the name Tavis. Tavis Smiley is an American television host and political commentator, while Tavis Knight is a British actor known for his role in the soap opera "Emmerdale." However, it is important to note that these individuals were not born with the name Tavis but rather adopted it later in life.
In conclusion, the name Tavis is of Scottish origin and means "from the towhead." It has a rich history dating back centuries and has been carried around the world by Scottish immigrants. Despite its relatively rare occurrence as a given name, Tavis has made its mark on popular culture through notable figures like Tavis Smiley and Tavis Knight.
According to the statistics, the name Tavis was given to six babies born in the United States in the year 1977.