The name is made up of two words:
* Tane: This refers to Tane-nui-a-te-whananga, a god in Māori mythology who is the god of forests, birds, and all things growing.
* Mahuta: This is a Māori word meaning "lord" or "chief."
The name is often used to refer to the Tane Mahuta kauri tree, which is a giant kauri tree located in the Waipoua Forest in Northland, New Zealand. It is considered to be one of the largest and oldest living trees in the world.