Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Tallulah
GirlNative American, Irish· “uncertain; Native American place name”
- Meaning
- uncertain; Native American place name (origin disputed)
- Origin
- Native American, Irish
- Pronunciation
- tuh-LOO-luh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #940
- US babies 2025
- 276
- Best rank
- #811 (2023)
- Peak year
- 2023
Meaning and origin of Tallulah
Tallulah is often said to mean “uncertain; Native American place name”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Native American and Irish roots.
Tallulah has an uncertain origin. It is often linked to a Native American place name, especially Tallulah Falls and the Tallulah River in Georgia, and a Native American word sometimes said to mean "leaping water," though that explanation is not firmly established. Some sources also connect it to the Irish name Tuilelaith, "lady of abundance." The name became famous through actress Tallulah Bankhead, known for her husky voice and dramatic personality. Pronounced tuh-LOO-luh, Tallulah has a lively, musical sound. Lula and Lulu are sweet nicknames, and it suits parents who want a spirited, distinctive name.
Popularity over time
Tallulah first appears in US Social Security records in 1917. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 3 different years, starting in 2023. Its best national rank was #811 in 2023, the same year it reached its highest count of 345 babies. In 2025, 276 babies were named Tallulah, and it ranked #940 nationally. That is 74% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #10,233 in 1980, #4,391 in 2000, #1,719 in 2010, and #940 in 2025. Of the 4,102 US girls named Tallulah since records began, 41% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 1,540 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Aspyn, Alianna, Nyomi, Cielo, and Zayla.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Tallulah ranked highest in Maine, Oregon, and Alabama.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Tallulah is usually pronounced tuh-LOO-luh, with three syllables. It has eight letters, starts with T and ends in “-ah”.
Middle names for Tallulah
A few middle names that flow with Tallulah: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Tallulah
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Lists that include Tallulah
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Tallulah mean?
Tallulah is often said to mean “uncertain; Native American place name”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Native American and Irish roots.
What is the origin of the name Tallulah?
Tallulah has Native American and Irish roots. Tallulah has an uncertain origin.
Is Tallulah a popular name?
Yes. Tallulah ranked #940 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Tallulah a boy or girl name?
Tallulah is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Tallulah?
Tallulah is usually pronounced tuh-LOO-luh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings