The baby name Tanith is borrowed from an ancient goddess, but fits in on a playground today.
Thanks to Fran for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day.
THE MEANING OF THE NAME TANITH
Tanit was a goddess. Along with Ba’al Hammon, she protected the ancient empire of Carthage. The couple was likely imported from Phoenicia. This traces the name to the fifth century BC.
Depending on the historical moment, Tanit was a goddess of love or the moon. Or war. Or fertility. Sometimes she was confused with – or conflated with – Astarte or Juno or another goddess.
It’s not clear when the name picked up the final h, but she’s been Tanith in English for ages.
So what does the baby name Tanith mean?
The oft-repeated explanation is serpent lady. But while she’s sometimes pictured with a lion’s head, she’s never shown as a snake. A handful of sites give the name Irish origins, too, but these seem doubtful. Some tie Tunis, the capital city of Tunisia, near ancient Carthage, to the goddess, but that doesn’t shine any light.
Worth noting: archeologists debate whether or not the ancient Carthaginians practiced human sacrifice. But if they did, there’s some evidence that the goddess was part of it. That makes this name rather dark.
FAMOUS WOMEN NAMED TANITH
The a baby name Tanith might have made it onto the list of possibilities by way of GuastaveFlaubert’s Salammbô. The 1862 novel was set in Carthage circa the third century BCE. Salammbôis a priestess of Tanith. It’s an intensely gory tale – and while it might explain our familiarity with the goddess, it might also hint at our reluctance to use the name.
It’s also the name of an asteroid and a frequent choice for science fiction and fantasy writers.
As for real notables, there are a few:
- Tanith Belbin won a silver medal in ice dancing at the 2006 Olympics in Turin with her partner BenjaminAgosto.
- Writer Tanith Leeis a sci fi and fantasy master published over 70 novels since the since the 1970s, including works like The Secret Books of Venus.
- Tanith Careyis a British journalist writing on parenting issues.
- TanitPhoenix is a South African-born actress.
So that’s a trio of Taniths, plus a Tanit, who might have inspired parents.
There’s also a 1968 horror film called The Devil Rides Out with a character by the name. In Stargate SG-1, a male character answers to Tanith.
All of it adds up to an intriguing possibility.
HOW POPULAR IS THE BABY NAME TANITH?
The baby name Tanith remains exceedingly rare. Looking at US Social Security Administration data:
- In 2024, fewer than five girls were named Tanith. The name peaked in 2006, with 18 births.
- Tanit has never appeared in popularity data. (Which means it has never been given to even five girls born in a single year.)
- Greek form Tanis might be the most popular over time, and was given to six girls and six boys in 2025.
WEARABLE RARITY
Names beginning with TH FIXLINK are having a moment. Just ask Theodore, Theo, and Thea. The sound appears in classics like Katherine and Ruth, too.
If you’re looking for a truly ancient name that sounds surprisingly current, then Tanith might be the perfect choice for your family.
What do you think of the baby name Tanith?
First published on June 26, 2013, this post was revised on October 18, 2025.
My name is actually Tanith and my mother got it from a welsh book called the magic apostrophe that my grandmother gave to my sister
My mom got my name from Tanith Lee… but took it a step further and added an additional n… so my spelling is… Tannith
This is really awesome. Thanks for putting it all together.
Thanks for covering this. The Tanith I know does actually have an Irish surname so it’s interesting to see the possible Irish connection, even if it’s doubtful.
I read the book “The Devil Rides Out” when I was a kid (yeah, my parents didn’t supervise my reading), and fell instantly in love with the name Tanith, even though the character is evil.
It’s so exotic, although I have to admit it still sounds slightly evil to me. But that’s part of its allure I expect.
I quite like it.
I’d assume the ‘h’ was added as an anglicisation — loads of Hebrew names originally ending with -t have -th in English [the above-mentioned Elizabeth and Ruth being examples]. [Not that Tanit/h is Hebrew, just an observation of a similarity.]
Ta’anit means repentance in Hebrew. She may have been an Israeli Princess that escaped the First Kingdom of Israel.