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Home › Baby Names Directory › Tami

Tami

♀ Girl

Pronounced TAM-ee /ˈtæm.i/High

Meaning: Tami is a spelling of Tammy, the pet form of Tamara — from the Hebrew tamar, 'palm tree' — or of Thomasina. In Israel Tami is also used as a short form of Tamar. A warm mid-century nickname name.Medium

In 30 seconds: A palm tree in miniature: Tami is short for Tamara, from the Hebrew tamar (said 'TAM-ee').
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Origin MediumEnglish, Hebrew
MeaningTami is a spelling of Tammy, the pet form of Tamara — from the Hebrew tamar, 'palm tree' — or of Thomasina. In Israel Tami is also used as a short form of Tamar. A warm mid-century nickname name.
U.S. rank (2024)#13288 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births7 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1959
Total births (all-time)≈ 37,914

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 195919422024

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

Tami is a spelling of Tammy, the pet form of Tamara and Thomasina; Tamara comes from the Hebrew tamar, 'palm tree.' The name swept America in the late 1950s and 60s, then faded, and now carries a friendly vintage warmth. Tami is also used in Israel as a short form of Tamar (said 'TAM-ee').

It appears only very rarely for girls in the U.S. today, well below its mid-century peak. Rare now, warm, and retro.

Did you know? Tammy and Tami boomed in mid-century America thanks to the film Tammy and the Bachelor — but the root is the Hebrew tamar, 'palm tree,' the name of more than one woman in the Bible.
Overall data confidence 45%
References — Tami — Short form of Tamara/Thomasina; Hebrew tamar 'palm tree'

Variations

TammyTammiTamara

Nicknames

TamTams

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Tami…

Tammy— the standard spelling of the same name
Tamara— the full name behind it
Kim— a like crisp mid-century name
Tommi— lands in the same popularity range
Cami— lands in the same popularity range

Explore names like Tami

By themehebrewvintagenickname-nameretro

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Tami mean?

Tami is a short form of Tamara — from the Hebrew tamar, 'palm tree' — or of Thomasina.

How do you pronounce Tami?

It's said TAM-ee /ˈtæm.i/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Tami a boy or girl name?

Tami is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Tami?

Tami is rare for girls in the U.S. today, though it was much more common mid-century.

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