Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Tammy
GirlEnglish, Hebrew· “pet form of Tamara or Tamsin”
- Meaning
- pet form of Tamara or Tamsin
- Origin
- English, Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- TAM-ee
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #3,703
- US babies 2025
- 41
- Best rank
- #8 (1966)
- Peak year
- 1963
Meaning and origin of Tammy
Tammy is an English and Hebrew name that is usually said to mean “pet form of Tamara or Tamsin”.
Tammy is a pet form most often linked to Tamara, a Hebrew name meaning date palm, though it has also been used for Tamsin, a Cornish contraction of Thomasina. The name became especially popular in the United States in the mid twentieth century, helped by the film Tammy and the Bachelor and its theme song. Country singer Tammy Wynette also made the name familiar. It is said TAM-ee. Tammy has a cheerful, informal style tied to its era, and it is now often chosen as a vintage revival or as a nickname for longer names. It is also spelled Tammie or Tami.
Other spellings with the same sound: Tami, Tammie.
Popularity over time
Tammy first appears in US Social Security records in 1934. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 52 different years, starting in 1947. Its best national rank was #8 in 1966, and the most babies received it in 1963, when 21,199 were named Tammy. In 2025, 41 babies were named Tammy, and it ranked #3,703 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #936 in 1950, #96 in 1980, #1,086 in 2000, #2,611 in 2010, and #3,703 in 2025. Of the 332,015 US girls named Tammy since records began, 55% were born in the 1960s, its biggest decade. The 1970s come next, with 98,830 babies. Since 2010, 740 more have been named Tammy.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Laura, Lori, Jacqueline, Laurie, and Paula.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Tammy ranked highest in New Jersey and California.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | #1157 | 6 |
| California | #3485 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Tammy is usually pronounced TAM-ee, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with T and ends in “-my”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Tami and Tammie.
Middle names for Tammy
A few middle names that flow with Tammy: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Tammy
Similar names
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Lists that include Tammy
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Tammy mean?
Tammy is an English and Hebrew name that is usually said to mean “pet form of Tamara or Tamsin”.
What is the origin of the name Tammy?
Tammy has English and Hebrew roots. Tammy is a pet form most often linked to Tamara, a Hebrew name meaning date palm, though it has also been used for Tamsin, a Cornish contraction of Thomasina.
Is Tammy a popular name?
Not especially. Tammy ranked #3,703 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Tammy a boy or girl name?
Tammy is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Tammy?
Tammy is usually pronounced TAM-ee. 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