Tate

♀ Girl

Pronounced TAYT /teɪt/High

Meaning: cheerful, gladMedium

In 30 seconds: Tate is a crisp one-syllable surname name of Old Norse origin meaning cheerful or glad. Originally a boy's name, it is increasingly popular for girls as a modern gender-neutral choice.

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Origin MediumOld Norse, English

Meaningcheerful, glad

U.S. rank (2024)#2260 ↗ Rising

2024 U.S. births83 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2024

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,395

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

History & Origin

Tate derives from the Old Norse name Teitr meaning cheerful or glad, which entered English as a surname. It has been a patronymic and occupational surname in England since the medieval period.

Tate began appearing as a given name in the late 20th century, initially for boys, but with growing use for girls in the 2010s. Its monosyllabic boldness and positive meaning appeal to parents seeking a strong, simple name.

Did you know? The famous Tate Modern art gallery in London takes its name from sugar magnate Sir Henry Tate, whose surname comes from the same Old Norse root meaning cheerful — making it perhaps the world's most visited name meaning happy.

Overall data confidence 80%

Hanks & Hodges, Dictionary of First Names — reference for TateBehind the Name: Tate — name etymology referenceOxford Dictionary of Surnames — reference for Tate

Variations

TaitTaite

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

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Frequently Asked

What does Tate mean?

Tate means cheerful or glad, from the Old Norse name Teitr.

How do you pronounce Tate?

Tate is pronounced TAYT (/teɪt/), with one syllable.

Is Tate a girl's name?

Tate is traditionally a surname and boy's name that is increasingly used for girls as a gender-neutral given name.

How popular is the name Tate?

Tate has been growing in popularity as a given name for both boys and girls since the 2000s.