Tatum is a distinctive girls' name in United States, ranking #948 in 1996 with 203 recorded births. This places Tatum in the top 6% of ranked US girls' names for the year. Its actual usage is classified as Uncommon. The name reached its all-time peak in 2025 with 1,661 births ranking #189. In 1996, approximately 1 in every 8,635 girls born was named Tatum. RISING Recent data shows the name is currently rising.
Tatum comes from an English surname that ultimately meant "Tata's homestead" in Old English. It is a surname-style first name with a clearly modern rise in popularity.
The name first gained public attention through actress Tatum O'Neal and later got another boost from a character in Scream. That mix of surname style and pop culture helped it become established for both girls and boys.