"cheerful, pleasant"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Tate
Pronunciation: [ t-AYT ]
Does Tate flow with your last name?
One syllable, cheerful Old English roots, modern American swagger
American
English
Modern
Bold
Minimalist
Strong
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Things to Know About This Name
- Tate Langdon is a villainous character in American Horror Story
The Story of Tate
Tate is an Old English surname meaning 'cheerful' or 'pleasant', derived from the Old English personal name 'Tata'. It was used as a family name for centuries and is associated with the British Tate family, whose fortune funded the famous Tate art galleries in London. As a first name, Tate is part of the modern American trend of adopting strong, punchy surnames as given names.
Tate has been rising as a first name in the United States since the early 2000s, fitting the broader trend for short, strong one-syllable names for boys. It entered the US top 500 around 2010 and has been climbing since. Its use has been boosted by the visible surname Tate attached to athletes and public figures.
The Tate Galleries (Tate Britain, Tate Modern, Tate Liverpool, Tate St Ives) are iconic British cultural institutions funded by sugar merchant Sir Henry Tate. The Tate Modern in particular is one of the world's most visited art museums, giving the name a strong cultural resonance in arts communities.
Historical Record
Tate first appeared in US Social Security records in 1951.
Over 25,354 babies have been named Tate in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Tate is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #210 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The Tate Modern art gallery in London is one of the most visited museums in the world, housed in a former power station
- Tate is gaining fast as a given name: it rose from outside the US top 1000 to the top 300 in about 15 years
- Sharon Tate (1943-1969) was a Hollywood actress murdered by the Manson Family; the association is fading with younger generations
Tate in Other Languages
French
Tate
English
Tate
Spanish
Tate
Japanese
テイト
Popularity Over Time
#210
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Tate
S
Sharon Tate
Actor
1943
American actress and victim of the Manson Family murders in 1969; subject of Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hol...
American actress and victim of the Manson Family murders in 1969; subject of Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
H
Henry Tate
Business
1819
British sugar magnate and philanthropist whose donation founded the Tate Gallery in London
T
Tate Langdon Fictional
Other
Disturbed villain in the first season of American Horror Story (Murder House), played by Evan Peters
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #210
- Total SSA Count
- 1,697
- Cultural Origins
- American English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Popular in These States
Top states by rank · 2024
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Tate
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Tate is also used as a girl name, ranked #2259.
View Tate as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Tate
What does the name Tate mean?
"cheerful, pleasant" (from Old English). Tate is an Old English surname meaning 'cheerful' or 'pleasant', derived from the Old English personal name 'Tata'. It was used as a family name for centuries and is associated with the British Tate family, whose fortune funded the famous Tate art galleries in London. As a first name, Tate is part of the modern American trend of adopting strong, punchy surnames as given names.
What is the origin of the name Tate?
Tate has Old English, American, and English origins. In Old English, it means "cheerful, pleasant".
Is Tate a boy or girl name?
Tate is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #210. As a girl name, it is ranked #2259. Tate is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Tate?
Tate is pronounced t-AYT.
How popular is the name Tate?
Tate is currently ranked #210 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Tate?
Popular middle name pairings include Tate William, Tate Henry, Tate James, Tate Oliver, Tate Alexander, and Tate Reid.
What are good sibling names for Tate?
Names that pair well with Tate as siblings include Knox, Beau, Sloane, Quinn, Jude, and Wren.
How many syllables does Tate have?
Tate has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Tate a common or rare name?
Tate is a popular name, ranked #210 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.
What boy names are similar to Tate?
Are there other spellings for Tate?
Related spellings include Tatum.
About the Name Tate
Tate is a boy name with American and English origins . The name means "cheerful, pleasant" in Old English .
Is Tate a boy or girl name? Tate is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #210 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #2,259. Tate is more commonly used as a boy name.
Tate is currently ranked #210 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Tate has 1 syllable and is pronounced t-AYT, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Alternative spellings of Tate include Tatum . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis