Tameka
Tameka is a girl's name of Contemporary origin.
Meaning
Sweet, beloved, or sweet child (often associated with similar phonetic roots).
Origin and history
Tameka is an invented African American name that gained widespread popularity in the United States during the 1970s and 1980s. It was likely inspired by similar-sounding names like Tamika or Tamiko, incorporating the popular 'Tam-' prefix. While extremely common in late 20th-century birth records, its usage has declined significantly in recent years.
Popularity in the United States
12,731 babies in the United States have been named Tameka since 1880. It ranks #1428 all-time.
States where it is most popular
- GA (7.8 %)
- TX (7.2 %)
- FL (7.2 %)
- NY (7 %)
- IL (6.6 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 0 |
| 1950-1960 | 0 |
| 1960-1970 | 148 |
| 1970-1980 | 6,386 |
| 1980-1990 | 4,996 |
| 1990-2000 | 1,019 |
| 2000-2010 | 169 |
| 2010-2019 | 13 |
| 2020-2029 | 0 |
Famous people named Tameka
- Tameka Cottle: Singer, Songwriter
- Tameka Empson: Actress, Comedian
Nicknames
Tammy, Meeka, Tam
Fun facts
- Tameka enjoyed immense popularity in the United States during the 1970s, entering the top 100 names for girls.
- The name reflects a mid-20th-century American trend of creating distinct phonetic names with smooth, melodic endings.