Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Travis
BoyEnglish, French· “toll collector at a crossing”
- Meaning
- toll collector at a crossing
- Origin
- English, French
- Pronunciation
- TRAV-is
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #434
- US babies 2025
- 732
- Best rank
- #36 (1979)
- Peak year
- 1989
Meaning and origin of Travis
Travis is an English and French name that means “toll collector at a crossing”.
Travis comes from an English surname of Norman origin, from the Old French traverser, meaning to cross. It described someone who collected tolls at a bridge, gate or crossing. The name gained a patriotic glow in the United States through William B. Travis, the commander of the Texan forces at the Alamo. Travis became a popular first name in the late twentieth century and still feels relaxed and approachable. Trav is the easy nickname. It pairs well with both classic and modern names.
Popularity over time
Travis has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 142 different years. Its best national rank was #36 in 1979, and the most babies received it in 1989, when 11,526 were named Travis. In 2025, 732 babies were named Travis, and it ranked #434 nationally. That is 48% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #386 in 1920, #345 in 1950, #37 in 1980, #115 in 2000, #178 in 2010, and #434 in 2025. Of the 308,571 US boys named Travis since records began, 33% were born in the 1980s, its biggest decade. The 1990s come next, with 68,208 babies. Since 2010, 20,065 more have been named Travis.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Sean, Derek, Corey, Aaron, and Benjamin.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Travis ranked highest in Mississippi, Connecticut, and New Jersey.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | #199 | 16 |
| Connecticut | #278 | 12 |
| New Jersey | #299 | 30 |
| Kentucky | #317 | 17 |
| Virginia | #342 | 25 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Travis is usually pronounced TRAV-is, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with T and ends in “-is”.
Middle names for Travis
A few middle names that flow with Travis: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Travis
Similar names
Curtis Boy
KUR-tuhs
“courteous” · French
#985
Jarvis Boy
JAR-vis
“uncertain (from Gervase)” · English
#2,858
Davis Boy
DAY-vihs
“son of David” · English
#668
Morris Boy
MAWR-ihs
“form of Maurice, 'a Moor'” · English
#1,762
Spencer Boy
SPEN-sur
“steward, dispenser of provisions” · English
#360
Louis Boy
LOO-ee
“famous warrior” · French
#249
Tyson Boy
TY-suhn
“firebrand; or son of Dye” · English
#531
Ellis Unisex
EH-lihs
“from Elias; my God is Yahweh” · English
#243
Chandler Unisex
CHAND-lur
“candle maker” · English
#753
Russell Boy
RUH-suhl
“little red one” · French
#345
Francis Boy
FRAN-suhs
“Frenchman” · Latin
#420
Dennis Boy
DEH-nihs
“follower of Dionysus” · Greek
#707
Lists that include Travis
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Travis mean?
Travis is an English and French name that means “toll collector at a crossing”.
What is the origin of the name Travis?
Travis has English and French roots. Travis comes from an English surname of Norman origin, from the Old French traverser, meaning to cross.
Is Travis a popular name?
Yes. Travis ranked #434 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Travis a boy or girl name?
Travis is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Travis?
Travis is usually pronounced TRAV-is. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings