Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Tatum
UnisexEnglish, Old English· “Tata's homestead”
- Meaning
- Tata's homestead
- Origin
- English, Old English
- Pronunciation
- TAY-tum
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #189
- US babies 2025
- 1,661
- Best rank
- #189 (2025)
- Peak year
- 2025
Meaning and origin of Tatum
Tatum is an English and Old English name that is usually said to mean “Tata's homestead”.
Tatum comes from an English surname based on the place name Tatham, meaning homestead of a man named Tata, from Old English. As a first name, Tatum is used for both boys and girls and gained attention through actress Tatum O'Neal. The name feels crisp and spirited, with a friendly rhythm. It is easy to spell and pronounce, and Tate is a natural nickname. Tatum fits well with other modern surname names like Hadley and Harper.
Popularity over time
Tatum first appears in US Social Security records in 1966. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 31 different years, starting in 1994. It is at its all-time high right now: 2025 brought both its best national rank, #189, and its highest count, 1,661 babies. Use has grown 112% in ten years.
Its national rank moved from #1,284 in 1980, #420 in 2000, #335 in 2010, and #189 in 2025. Of the 28,649 US girls named Tatum since records began, 30% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 8,262 babies.
Other babies' names that peaked around the same time include Sutton, Milan, Rory, Dallas, and Lennon.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Tatum ranked highest in Wyoming, Arizona, and South Dakota.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | #43 | 8 |
| Arizona | #83 | 68 |
| South Dakota | #83 | 12 |
| Nebraska | #88 | 23 |
| North Dakota | #89 | 11 |
Gender, sound and spelling
Tatum is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 61% of US babies named Tatum were girls and 39% were boys.
Tatum is usually pronounced TAY-tum, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with T and ends in “-um”.
Middle names for Tatum
A few middle names that flow with Tatum: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Tatum
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Lists that include Tatum
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Tatum mean?
Tatum is an English and Old English name that is usually said to mean “Tata's homestead”.
What is the origin of the name Tatum?
Tatum has English and Old English roots. Tatum comes from an English surname based on the place name Tatham, meaning homestead of a man named Tata, from Old English.
Is Tatum a popular name?
Yes. Tatum ranked #189 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Tatum a boy or girl name?
Tatum is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 61% of US babies named Tatum were girls and 39% were boys.
How do you pronounce Tatum?
Tatum is usually pronounced TAY-tum. 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