Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Tate

Tate is the transferred use of an old Anglo-Scottish surname which originated from an Olde English nickname, Tāta. Etymological study suggests that Tāta was probably brought to England and Scotland by the Vikings and is derived from an Old Norse word “teitr" meaning ‘glad, cheerful’. In fact, Teitr is a name of a 9th or 10th century Icelandic settler whose name was recorded in the medieval Landnámabók (a book describing the Norse founding and settlement of Iceland). In Scotland and northern England, the surname Tate dates back to the 13th and 14th centuries. As a given masculine name, Tate is mainly used in the United States.

All About the Baby Name – Tate

Personality

OF THE BOY NAME TATE

The number one personality is a leader - strong and competitive. They are willing to initiate action and take risks. One personalities work hard toward their endeavors and have the ability to apply their creative and innovative thinking skills with strong determination. They believe in their ability to succeed and are too stubborn to be hindered by obstacles. Ones meet obstacles head-on with such mental vigor and energy that you better step aside. They resent taking orders, so don't try telling them what to do either. This is an intensely active personality, but they are also known as starters rather than finishers. They have a propensity to become bored and will move quickly to the next project if not properly challenged.  They are the ones to think up and put into action new and brilliant ideas, but they are not the ones to stick around and manage them. This personality has an enthusiastic and pioneering spirit. They are distinctly original.

Popularity

OF THE BOY NAME TATE

Tate first appeared on the male naming charts in 1971 but just sort of struggled at the bottom of the list for a few years before dropping out of site again in the 1980s. The name made a triumphant return in between 1991 and 1992 thanks to the release of a popular film called “Little Man Tate” (October 1991), starring Jody Foster as the single working-class mother of Fred Tate (a 7-year-old child genius). American parents took an instant liking to this Little Man and started using the name Tate nationwide. Perhaps they were hoping for a young prodigy themselves and might channel him through the name. In any case, the name has stuck to the charts this time and remains consistently used at low-moderate levels. Tate is an unpretentious and minimalist choice for a name. It has a strong sound and therefore masculine quality. We absolutely love its ‘cheerful’ etymology, so if you do too, check out Asher and Felix (other ‘happy’ boy names).

Quick Facts

ON TATE

GENDER:

Boy

ORIGIN:

English

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

1

RANKING POPULARITY:

358

PRONUNCIATION:

TAYT

SIMPLE MEANING:

Happy, cheerful

Characteristics

OF TATE

Independent

Individualistic

Ambitious

Strong-willed

Inventive

Successful

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Tate

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME TATE

We cannot find any significant literary characters by the name of Tate

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME TATE

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Tate


Popular Songs

ON TATE

We cannot find any popular or well-known songs with the name of Tate


Famous People

NAMED TATE

Tate Donovan (actor)
Michel Taylor "Tate" Armstrong (basketball player)
Tate George (basketball player)

Children of Famous People

NAMED TATE

We cannot find any children of famous people with the first name Tate

Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME TATE

We cannot find any historically significant people with the first name Tate