Tatum is one of the rare examples of a name that was exclusively female, as in Tatum O'Neal, but now is used for boys too, entering the male Top 1000 in 2010. Jazz legend Art Tatum and actor Channing Tatum are two notable male bearers, albeit as a surname. And country singer Luke Bryan recently named his son Tatum Christopher, to be called Tate. We also recommend the cool and crisp Tate as a standalone name.

Tatum is strong, distinctive, energetic, and recommended, especially if your last name is as congenial as O'Neal. The name is now used for both genders, with the balance running about two to one in favor of the girls.