Tatum means Tata's homestead — an Old English place name that has crossed from surname to given name with a confident, modern snap. Tatum O'Neal, who won an Oscar at age 10, first put the name on the cultural map. Channing Tatum kept the surname visible. It's two sharp syllables that feel athletic, strong, and decisively American.
Old English Tata (personal name) + hām (homestead)→surname Tatum→given name
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English roots
Tatum comes from an Old English place name combining Tata (a personal name) and hām (homestead). It became a surname and then a given name, following the American pattern of surname-to-first crossovers. Tatum O'Neal won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress at age 10 for Paper Moon (1973), becoming the youngest competitive Oscar winner in history — a record she still holds. Her father, Ryan O'Neal, named her after Art Tatum, the legendary jazz pianist. Channing Tatum has kept the surname visible in the 21st century. The name entered the US girls' charts and has climbed steadily.
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First recorded
Earliest known use: Ancient as an English surname; given-name usage grew from the 1970s through Tatum O'Neal.
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Today
Tatum remains a beloved choice, ranking #338 in the US. 38,455 babies have been named Tatum since 1966.
◈ Sources: Behind the Name, Oxford Dictionary of Family Names, SSA data
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How popular is Tatum?
2024peak year
Tatum reached its widest reach during the 2020s. In 2024, 1,497 babies received the name (ranked #205). In the present decade it sits around #338, with about 1,820 babies given the name annually. Tatum has been trending upward in recent years. The all-time total comes to roughly 38,455 registrations.
Year-by-year registrations1880–2024 · U.S. Social Security data
Tatum's Life Path 9 is the humanitarian's number — broadening the name's athletic, competitive associations into something more generous. People named Tatum tend to be dynamic, competitive, and surprisingly warm. They win and then share the prize.
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Dynamic competitor
✦
Surprisingly warm
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Wins and shares
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Athletic spirit
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Generous champion
T2
A1
T2
U3
M4
Sum: 12 → Life path 3
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Personality of Tatum
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Bright & creative
Imaginative, expressive, endlessly inventive.
😊
Magnetic warmth
Their laugh is contagious. People love being near them.
🌈
Eternal optimist
Even in dark moments they find the light.
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Storyteller
They can describe anything and make it fascinating.
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