Taitum
Primarily a girl's name of Old English origin with 469 recorded births. Also given to 102 boys.
Meaning & Origin
Taitum reads as a modern invention — a name that emerged in the 1990s and was likely coined by parents looking for something fresh rather than inherited.
The sharp, distinct quality of its ending — ending on a consonant gives it a firm, clear close — keeps the name compact and easy to pair with longer middle names or surnames.
In the most recent SSA release, Taitum ranks #8345 among U.S. girl names — distinctive enough to stand out.
Taitum is a girl's and boy's baby name of Old English origin, a feminine spelling variant of Tatum, from the English surname meaning 'Tata's homestead' — a place name derived from the Anglo-Saxon personal name Tata. Actress Tatum O'Neal, who became the youngest competitive Oscar winner in history for Paper Moon (1973) at age 10, made the name widely known.
Taitum is a spelling elaboration that gives the familiar Tatum a more feminine, distinctive visual character. With 469 recorded births, it has found real traction among parents who love the sound of Tatum but want something that looks more uniquely their own.
EtymologyShow more
Taitum appeared in SSA records in 1997, placing it in the modern era of American naming — a period when parents increasingly began breaking from generational naming patterns, experimenting with spelling, and treating naming as a form of creative self-expression. Its Old English roots may have been the starting point, adapted or respelled to fit contemporary American tastes.
With only 469 recorded births, Taitum has not been widely studied in naming literature — its story belongs primarily to the families who chose it.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Taitum was #5364 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #8345, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 70 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 192 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 170 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 37 | — |
The Story of Taitum
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 2011, Taitum is a name that defines a generation. Girls named Taitum are most likely born between 2001 and 2021.
How rare is Taitum?
Only about 1 in every 276,923 babies born in 2024 was named Taitum — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1997, peaked in the 2010s with 192 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Taitum by the numbers
- Would fill 10 school buses
- Meeting one Taitum per day would take 1.3 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(28 years, 1997–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 13 | #8345 |
| 2023 | 17 | #6892 |
| 2022 | 17 | #6950 |
| 2021 | 14 | #7988 |
| 2020 | 9 | #10992 |
| 2019 | 18 | #6672 |
| 2018 | 13 | #8554 |
| 2017 | 16 | #7406 |
| 2016 | 18 | #6876 |
| 2015 | 18 | #6950 |
| 2014 | 16 | #7600 |
| 2013 | 19 | #6694 |
| 2012 | 22 | #6089 |
| 2011 | 28 | #5049 |
| 2010 | 24 | #5760 |
| 2009 | 20 | #6784 |
| 2008 | 20 | #6776 |
| 2007 | 20 | #6778 |
| 2006 | 19 | #6807 |
| 2005 | 12 | #9388 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Taitum as a Boy's Name
Though more common for girls, Taitum has a notable history as a boy's name too, with 102 births since 2006.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Taitum a boy's or girl's name?
When was Taitum most popular?
How popular is the name Taitum?
Can Taitum be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1997–2024