Tam
Tam is a boy's name of Scottish origin.
Meaning
Twin (Scottish/Aramaic) or heart, mind, search (Vietnamese).
Origin and history
Tam is a name with multiple distinct origins, functioning as a traditional Scottish short form of Thomas and as a Vietnamese given name. In Scottish usage, it traces back to Aramaic roots meaning 'twin'. It is relatively rare in the United States, maintaining a steady but understated presence.
Popularity in the United States
987 babies in the United States have been named Tam since 1880. It ranks #3695 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1900.
States where it is most popular
- CA (71.7 %)
- TX (26.1 %)
- LA (2.2 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 10 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 7 |
| 1950-1960 | 30 |
| 1960-1970 | 11 |
| 1970-1980 | 66 |
| 1980-1990 | 333 |
| 1990-2000 | 240 |
| 2000-2010 | 169 |
| 2010-2019 | 94 |
| 2020-2029 | 27 |
Famous people named Tam
- Tam Cowan: broadcaster, journalist
Fun facts
- Tam o' Shanter is a famous narrative poem written by the Scottish poet Robert Burns in 1790.
- While traditionally a Scottish diminutive for Thomas, Tam is also a widely used independent given name in Vietnam.