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Tate
Pronounced TAYT /teΙͺt/High
Meaning: Cheerful; pleasant; from the Old Norse personal name TeitrHigh
Popularity in the U.S. Β· SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880βpresent). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.
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.
Variations
Nicknames
Famous Bearers
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Tate Taylor (b. 1969)American film director known for The Help.
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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 (/teΙͺt/).
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.