Tacuma
An unfamiliar name, possibly derived from indigenous American roots.
Name Census estimates that about 81 living Americans carry the first name Tacuma. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Tacuma today is around 50 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Tacuma births was 1973 (16 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Tacuma. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Tacuma. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
81
~ 1 in 4,231,535 Americans
Peak year
1973
16 babies that year
Average age
50
years old
1982 SSA rank
#6,307
Tracked since 1972
Popularity
Tacuma: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Tacuma from the 1970s through to the 1980s, spanning 2 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1970s, with 68 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1970s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Tacuma by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Tacuma during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Tacumas live
Origin
Meaning and history of Tacuma
The given name Tacuma is believed to have originated from the indigenous Tupi language spoken by the Tupi people of Brazil. The name is thought to be derived from the Tupi word "tukuma," which means "green parrot" or "green macaw." The Tupi people have inhabited the coastal regions of Brazil for thousands of years, and their language has contributed to the naming traditions of the region.
It is uncertain when the name Tacuma was first used, as written records from the Tupi people are scarce. However, it is likely that the name has been in use for centuries, as the Tupi people have a long-standing tradition of naming children after elements of nature, such as animals, plants, and natural phenomena.
The earliest recorded use of the name Tacuma can be traced back to the 16th century, during the early colonial period in Brazil. Portuguese explorers and settlers encountered the Tupi people and their naming customs, and some of these names, including Tacuma, were adopted and integrated into the broader cultural landscape of the region.
One of the earliest known individuals named Tacuma was a Tupi chief who lived in the region of present-day Rio de Janeiro in the late 16th century. Historical accounts from Portuguese settlers mention this chief, though details about his life and significance are limited.
Another notable figure named Tacuma was a Tupi warrior who fought alongside Portuguese forces during the Guarani War in the 17th century. This conflict pitted the Portuguese and their Tupi allies against the Guarani people, who were also indigenous to the region. Tacuma's bravery and skill in battle were reportedly praised by Portuguese commanders.
In the 18th century, a Tupi leader named Tacuma played a role in the resistance against Portuguese colonial expansion in the Amazon region. He led his people in uprisings and skirmishes against Portuguese settlers and soldiers, seeking to protect the lands and traditions of his people.
During the 19th century, a Brazilian artist and painter named Tacuma became known for his landscapes and depictions of indigenous life. He was part of a movement that sought to capture the essence of Brazil's diverse cultural heritage and natural beauty.
Tacuma was also the name of a prominent Tupi shaman and spiritual leader in the late 19th century. He was revered for his knowledge of traditional healing practices and his ability to connect with the spiritual world. His teachings and rituals were passed down through generations, helping to preserve the cultural legacy of the Tupi people.
People
Tacuma + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Tacuma as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with T
Other first names starting with T with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Tacuma: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Tacuma?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 81 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Tacuma going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 4,231,535 US residents.
Is Tacuma a common name?
We classify Tacuma as "Very Rare". It ranks above 61.4% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 87 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Tacuma most popular?
The single biggest year for Tacuma was 1973, when 16 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Tacuma is about 50 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Tacuma in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Tacuma a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Tacuma in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Is Tacuma still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Tacuma in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Tacuma can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How many people have Tacuma as a first name?
For a quick modern take, check how many people share the name Tacuma on our sister site HowManyOfMe.org.