Tallula

Meaning & origin

Tallula is a modern respelling of Tallulah, a name that has seen steady but modest use in the United States since the early 2000s. First recorded in 2002, the name has been slowly rising in popularity, peaking at rank 9,457 in 2024 with an estimated 1 in 160,727 babies given the name in 2025. The name's exotic sound and water-related meaning give it a poetic appeal, though its origins are dual and debated: Choctaw and possibly Irish. The spelling Tallula is less common than the traditional Tallulah, giving it a subtly distinct identity. Despite its rarity, it has not yet appeared among top states by usage, suggesting a broad but thin distribution across the country.

Tallula is a modern spelling of Tallulah, a name derived from the Choctaw word 'tallulá' meaning 'leaping water' or 'song of the waters.' However, its adoption as a given name is often associated with the Irish place name Tallulah, anglicized from an Irish term meaning 'lady of abundance.' The name gained popularity in the late 20th century, influenced by the actress Tallulah Bankhead. While its Choctaw roots are well attested, the Irish connection is more speculative.