Holding steady.
Popularity of Tama since 1919
Babies named Tama per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 5 |
| 1920s | 19 |
| 1930s | 17 |
| 1940s | 97 |
| 1950s | 408 |
| 1960s | 540 |
| 1970s | 202 |
| 1980s | 96 |
| 1990s | 33 |
| 2000s | 16 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Tama is a rare unisex name with multiple cultural roots. In Japanese, it literally means 'jewel,' while in some Native American languages it may refer to the sun or thunder. The name first appeared in U.S. records in 1919, but it never achieved widespread popularity. Its peak year was 1959, when it was used more often for girls than boys, though overall usage was still very low. Since then, Tama has remained at a stable but low level of use, never ranking in the top thousand names. The name is not concentrated in any U.S. state. For parents seeking a short, cross-cultural name with a gentle sound, Tama offers a distinctive choice without being unfamiliar.
Tama has multiple possible origins. In Japanese, tama (玉) means 'jewel' or 'ball,' and appears in names like Tama and Tamako. It is also a unisex name found among some Native American tribes, where it may derive from words meaning 'sun' or 'thunder.' In the United States, it has been used as a feminine or unisex name since the early 20th century.
“Tama” around the world
Where Tama lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Tam, Tammy
Sibling names for Tama
Names that share Tama's style, for a brother or sister.
