Taio

British singer-songwriter Jacob Taio Cruz dropped his first name, and has put his unusual middle on the map. This wasn't his first time of dropping or changing names, however. Born Adetayo Ayowale Onile-Ere, it is likely that his middle name was inspired by his birth name, Adetayo, a Yoruba name meaning "crown of joy.

Pronounced TAH-yo in Yoruba, but closer to TIE-o in English, it makes a cool, and stylish sounding choice, blending the qualities of Kai, Theo, and Matteo.

Alternatively, Tai might be considered a variation of the Māori names Tai and Taitoko meaning "tide" and "spring tide" respectively, or a Japanese name, blending the elements tai and o to mean "great man" or "peaceful hero". In the latter case, it would be pronounce TAH-EE-OH.

Others consider it a Spanish name, likely used as a spelling variation of nickname Teo, and as such, pronounced TAY-o.

Pronounced TY-oh.

As of October 2026, Taio ranked #11828 in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #9495 in 2011, Nameberry popularity #968.