Origin and Meaning of Tatum

Meaning & Origin

Cheerful bringer of joy

Origin: English - Derived from an English surname meaning 'Tate's homestead' or 'cheerful' from the Old English 'tata', meaning 'cheerful'.

Interesting Facts

  • The name Tatum has roots as both a first name and a surname, becoming popular as a given name in the late 20th century.
  • In the United States, Tatum is used for both boys and girls, though it has been used more frequently for girls in recent years.
  • Noteworthy bearers of the name include Tatum O'Neal, the youngest-ever winner of a competitive Academy Award, and actor Channing Tatum.
  • Tatum saw a significant increase in popularity in the early 2000s, particularly among girls, and has been in the top 1000 names in the U.S. since then.
  • Related names include Tate, Tatum's more masculine diminutive, and variants like Tait or Teytum.