"Tate's homestead"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Tatum
Pronunciation: [ t-AYT-uhm ]
Does Tatum flow with your last name?
A surname-turned-first-name with Hollywood cool
American
English
Modern
Bold
Unique
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Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Tatum
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"cheerful settlement"
Origin: Old English (from Tate + ham)
Language: English
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The Story of Tatum
Tatum is an English surname turned given name, derived from an Old English place name meaning 'Tate's homestead' — combining the personal name Tate (meaning 'cheerful') with 'ham' meaning home or village. As a first name, Tatum gained recognition primarily through American actress Tatum O'Neal, who became its most famous bearer in the 1970s.
Tatum O'Neal's Academy Award win in 1974 (the youngest competitive Oscar winner in history) brought the name to wide public attention. After years of quiet use, Tatum has seen a revival since the 2010s as parents seek gender-neutral surname-style names with a modern edge.
Tatum is part of the American trend of surname-as-first-name that gained momentum in the late 20th century. It has a distinctly modern American feel and is predominantly used for girls, though it crosses gender lines naturally.
Historical Record
Tatum first appeared in US Social Security records in 1966.
Over 26,979 babies have been named Tatum in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Tatum is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #205 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Tatum O'Neal won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress at age 10, making her the youngest competitive Oscar winner ever
- Tatum is primarily used as a girl's name in the US despite its gender-neutral surname origins
- The name has risen steadily since 2010 alongside similar surname names like Peyton and Quinn
Tatum in Other Languages
French
Tatum
Chinese
泰坦姆 (Tàitǎnmǔ)
Spanish
Tatum
Japanese
テータム
Popularity Over Time
#205
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Tatum
T
Tatum O'Neal
Actor
1963
American actress and youngest competitive Oscar winner, known for Paper Moon (1973)
A
Art Tatum
Musician
1909
Legendary American jazz pianist widely regarded as one of the greatest pianists of all time
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Compare Tatum with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #205
- Total SSA Count
- 1,497
- Cultural Origins
- American English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Tate
Tay
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Tatum
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Tatum is also used as a boy name, ranked #195.
View Tatum as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Tatum
What does the name Tatum mean?
"Tate's homestead" (from Old English). "cheerful settlement" (from Old English (from Tate + ham)). Tatum is an English surname turned given name, derived from an Old English place name meaning 'Tate's homestead' — combining the personal name Tate (meaning 'cheerful') with 'ham' meaning home or village. As a first name, Tatum gained recognition primarily through American actress Tatum O'Neal, who became its most famous bearer in the 1970s.
What is the origin of the name Tatum?
Tatum has Old English, Old English (from Tate + ham), American, and English origins. In Old English, it means "Tate's homestead". In Old English (from Tate + ham), it means "cheerful settlement".
Is Tatum a boy or girl name?
Tatum is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #205. As a boy name, it is ranked #195. 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 #205 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Tatum?
Common nicknames for Tatum include Tate and Tay.
What are good middle names for Tatum?
Popular middle name pairings include Tatum Rose, Tatum Grace, Tatum Marie, Tatum Lee, Tatum Ann, Tatum Jane, and Tatum Elise.
What are good sibling names for Tatum?
Names that pair well with Tatum as siblings include Piper, Quinn, Brynn, Finley, Sawyer, and Riley.
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 #205 for girls. It is well-known without being overused.
About the Name Tatum
Tatum is a girl name with American and English origins . The name means "Tate's homestead" in Old English .
Is Tatum a boy or girl name? Tatum is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #205 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #195. Tatum is more commonly used as a boy name.
Tatum is currently ranked #205 in popularity for girl 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 and Tay. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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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