Recent in Baby
When Baby Resists SolidsWhen Baby Resists SolidsBaby Biting TipsBaby Biting Tips5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair Injuries5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair InjuriesWhen Baby and Pet MeetWhen Baby and Pet MeetTreatments for ColicTreatments for ColicBaby Milestones – The First YearBaby Milestones – The First YearTips for Relieving Teething PainTips for Relieving Teething PainBenefits of Making Your Own Baby FoodBenefits of Making Your Own Baby Food

Home › Baby Names Directory › Chatham

Chatham

♂ Boy

Pronounced CHAT-um /ˈtʃæt.əm/Medium

Meaning: From an English place/surname, 'a forest/wood settlement' (Celtic ceto, 'wood', + Old English ham, 'homestead') — Chatham in Kent; we note the placeLow

In 30 seconds: A forest/wood settlement: Chatham is an English place/surname. Crisp, modern, and warm (said 'CHAT-um').
💕 Browse more names
Origin LowEnglish
MeaningFrom an English place/surname, 'a forest/wood settlement' (Celtic ceto, 'wood', + Old English ham, 'homestead') — Chatham in Kent; we note the place
U.S. rank (2024)#7839 ↗ Rising
2024 U.S. births10 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2015
Total births (all-time)≈ 155

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201519842024

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Chatham comes from an English place/surname, 'a forest/wood settlement' (Celtic ceto, 'wood', + Old English ham, 'homestead'; the town of Chatham in Kent; the Earls of Chatham; we note the place). A crisp, modern name (said 'CHAT-um'; nickname Chat).

In the U.S. it appears as a surname-name. Rare, a-forest-settlement at the root, and modern.

Did you know? Chatham is an English place/surname, 'a forest/wood settlement' (Celtic ceto, 'wood', + Old English ham, 'homestead') — a town in Kent — crisp and modern (we note the place; said 'CHAT-um').
Overall data confidence 40%
References — Chatham — place noted

Variations

ChattamChathem

Nicknames

—

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Chatham…

Chadwick— a sound-neighbor Cha- surname-name
Hiram— shares Chatham's English roots
Brigham— shares Chatham's English roots
Wyndham— lands in the same popularity range
Windham— shares the -am ending

Explore names like Chatham

By themeenglishplace-name
By meaningEarth / Nature

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Chatham mean?

Chatham is an English place/surname, 'a forest/wood settlement'. We note the place.

How do you pronounce Chatham?

It's said CHAT-um /ˈtʃæt.əm/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Chatham a boy or girl name?

Chatham is a boy's name.

How popular is Chatham?

Chatham is a very rare name in the U.S.

💬 Ask Nia