Tatum

Pronunciation: [ t-AYT-uhm ]

Boy Name #195 Most Popular Steady 2 Syllables

An all-American surname with jazz soul and cinematic flair

American English

Modern Strong Bold Earthy

Meaning & Origin

"cheerful settlement"

Origin: Old English

Language: English

The Story of Tatum

Tatum originates as an Old English place-name surname, meaning 'Tata's homestead' or settlement — where 'Tata' was a common personal name and 'tun' meant settlement or farm. Like many English place-surname combinations, Tatum transitioned into a given name in American culture. It has been used for both boys and girls, with notable usage patterns for each.

Tatum gained name recognition through actress Tatum O'Neal, who in 1974 became the youngest competitive Academy Award winner at age 10 for Paper Moon. The name has since been used across genders, with increasing female usage in the 2010s. Jazz legend Art Tatum kept the name in cultural memory for music lovers.

Art Tatum (1909-1956) was considered by many musicians to be the greatest jazz pianist who ever lived — his technical virtuosity was superhuman. He was legally blind, which made his playing even more extraordinary. The name carries both artistic and athletic prestige in American culture.

Fun Facts

Tatum O'Neal remains the youngest competitive Academy Award winner in history, winning Best Supporting Actress at age 10
Art Tatum's piano technique was so advanced that fellow musicians often refused to believe he was blind
Channing Tatum (born 1980) brought the name fresh cultural visibility in the 2010s

Tatum in Other Languages

French Tatum

German Tatum

Spanish Tatum

Famous People Named Tatum

Channing Tatum

Actor

1980

American actor and producer known for Magic Mike, 21 Jump Street, and The Vow

Tatum O'Neal

Actor

1963

American actress who won Best Supporting Actress Oscar at age 10 for Paper Moon (1974) — the youngest competitive Oscar ...

American actress who won Best Supporting Actress Oscar at age 10 for Paper Moon (1974) — the youngest competitive Oscar winner ever

Art Tatum

Musician

1909

American jazz pianist widely considered the greatest technical virtuoso in jazz history; legally blind from birth

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #195
Total SSA Count: 1,833
Cultural Origins: American English
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: Moderate

Common Nicknames

Tate

Pairs Well With

Tatum James Tatum Michael Tatum Alexander Tatum Lee Tatum Blake Tatum River

Sibling Names

Hudson Easton Colton Avery Piper Emerson

Also a Girl Name

Tatum is also used as a girl name, ranked #205.

View Tatum as a girl name →

Similar Names

Clayton Jackson Judson Houston Carson Dayton Woodson Edson

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

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Frequently Asked Questions About Tatum

What does the name Tatum mean?

"cheerful settlement" (from Old English). Tatum originates as an Old English place-name surname, meaning 'Tata's homestead' or settlement — where 'Tata' was a common personal name and 'tun' meant settlement or farm. Like many English place-surname combinations, Tatum transitioned into a given name in American culture. It has been used for both boys and girls, with notable usage patterns for each.

What is the origin of the name Tatum?

Tatum has Old English, American, and English origins. In Old English, it means "cheerful settlement".

Is Tatum a boy or girl name?

Tatum is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #195. As a girl name, it is ranked #205. Tatum is more commonly used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Tatum?

Tatum is pronounced t-AYT-uhm.

How popular is the name Tatum?

Tatum is currently ranked #195 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Tatum?

Common nicknames for Tatum include Tate.

What are good middle names for Tatum?

Popular middle name pairings include Tatum James, Tatum Michael, Tatum Alexander, Tatum Lee, Tatum Blake, and Tatum River.

What are good sibling names for Tatum?

Names that pair well with Tatum as siblings include Hudson, Easton, Colton, Avery, Piper, and Emerson.

How many syllables does Tatum have?

Tatum has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Tatum a common or rare name?

Tatum is a popular name, ranked #195 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.

About the Name Tatum

Tatum is a boy name with American and English origins . The name means "cheerful settlement" in Old English .

Is Tatum a boy or girl name? Tatum is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #195 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #205. Tatum is more commonly used as a boy name.

Tatum is currently ranked #195 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Tatum has 2 syllables and is pronounced t-AYT-uhm, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Tatum include Tate. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.