Tatum

Pronunciation: [ t-AYT-uhm ]

Girl Name #205 Most Popular Rising 2 Syllables

A surname-turned-first-name with Hollywood cool

American English

Modern Bold Unique Sophisticated

Meaning & Origin

"Tate's homestead"

Origin: Old English

Language: English

"cheerful settlement"

Origin: Old English (from Tate + ham)

Language: English

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.

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

Famous People Named Tatum

Tatum O'Neal

Actor

1963

American actress and youngest competitive Oscar winner, known for Paper Moon (1973)

Art Tatum

Musician

1909

Legendary American jazz pianist widely regarded as one of the greatest pianists of all time

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

Pairs Well With

Tatum Rose Tatum Grace Tatum Marie Tatum Lee Tatum Ann Tatum Jane Tatum Elise

Sibling Names

Piper Quinn Brynn Finley Sawyer Riley

Also a Boy Name

Tatum is also used as a boy name, ranked #195.

View Tatum as a boy name →

Similar Names

Anastasia Santana August Austin Tania Tiana Katana Tianna

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

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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.