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Tacoma

♂ Boy

Pronounced tuh-KOH-muh /təˈkoʊ.mə/Medium

Meaning: A place name — the Washington city Tacoma, from a Coast Salish (Lushootseed) word tied to Mount Rainier, often given as 'the mother of waters' or 'that snow-covered peak.' Used as a modern place-name.Low

In 30 seconds: A place-name pick: Tacoma comes from the Washington city and Mount Rainier (said 'tuh-KOH-muh'). Grounded and rare.

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Origin LowAmerican, Salishan

MeaningA place name — the Washington city Tacoma, from a Coast Salish (Lushootseed) word tied to Mount Rainier, often given as 'the mother of waters' or 'that snow-covered peak.' Used as a modern place-name.

U.S. rank (2022)#14070 ↘ Falling

2022 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2002

Total births (all-time)≈ 204

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

Tacoma is a place name from the Washington city, itself from a Coast Salish (Lushootseed) word linked to Mount Rainier — variously given as 'the mother of waters' or 'that snow-covered peak,' which we note. It reads grounded and modern — rare in the U.S. (said 'tuh-KOH-muh').

It appears only rarely as a first name in the U.S. Rare, place-rooted, and grounded.

Did you know? Tacoma is a place name — the Washington city, from a Coast Salish word tied to Mount Rainier, often read as 'the mother of waters' (said 'tuh-KOH-muh').

Overall data confidence 36%

References — Tacoma — place name; Coast Salish word for Mount Rainier

Variations

TakomaTacomahTakomah

Nicknames

TayComa

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Tacoma…

Denali— a like mountain place-name

Cheyenne— a like American place-name

Kai— a like short nature name

Tavion— shares Tacoma's American roots

Trevion— a similarly popular pick

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Tacoma mean?

Tacoma is a place name from the Washington city, from a Coast Salish word tied to Mount Rainier; the exact sense is given variously, which we note.

How do you pronounce Tacoma?

It's said tuh-KOH-muh /təˈkoʊ.mə/ — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Tacoma a boy or girl name?

Tacoma is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Tacoma?

Tacoma is a very rare first name in the U.S.