Tate

♂ Boy

Pronounced TAYT /teɪt/High

Meaning: Cheerful; pleasant; from the Old Norse personal name TeitrHigh

In 30 seconds: A strong one-syllable name from Old Norse meaning 'cheerful.' Originally a surname derived from the Norse name Teitr, it is now a sleek modern first name with an artsy edge.

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Origin HighOld Norse, Old English

MeaningCheerful; pleasant; from the Old Norse personal name Teitr

Peak year2013

Total births (all-time)≈ 17,206

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Tate is an English surname derived from the Middle English given name Tate, itself from the Old Norse name Teitr, meaning 'cheerful.' It was occasionally used as a first name in the 19th century and became more popular in the late 20th century as part of the broader surname-as-first-name trend.

Tate gained fresh cultural visibility through the Tate art galleries in London and elsewhere. As a first name it appeals for its combination of brevity, strength, and the association with culture and art. It remains more popular in the United States and Australia than in the UK.

Did you know? The Tate Modern art gallery in London takes its name from the sugar magnate Sir Henry Tate (1819–1899), whose surname in turn derives from this Old Norse root.

Variations

TaitTaite

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Tate Taylor (b. 1969)
American film director known for <em>The Help</em>.

If you like Tate…

Chase— single-syllable surname-style name equally popular for boys

Beau— short, confident boy's name with a sophisticated edge

Frequently Asked

What does the name Tate mean?

Tate is an Old Norse surname meaning 'cheerful' or 'pleasant,' derived from the Norse personal name Teitr.

How do you pronounce Tate?

Tate is a single syllable pronounced TAYT (/teɪt/).

Is Tate a boy or girl name?

Tate is used predominantly as a boy's name, though it occasionally appears for girls.

How popular is Tate?

Tate has been climbing the U.S. charts and is now a top-300 boys' name, popular for its brevity and strength.