Tamakia
A feminine Japanese name meaning "jewel, gem" or "precious child".
Name Census estimates that about 85 living Americans carry the first name Tamakia. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Tamakia today is around 48 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Tamakia births was 1979 (14 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Tamakia. 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 Tamakia. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
85
~ 1 in 4,032,404 Americans
Peak year
1979
14 babies that year
Average age
48
years old
1983 SSA rank
#8,907
Tracked since 1972
Popularity
Tamakia: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Tamakia 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 65 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 1970s peak, Tamakia remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Tamakia 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 Tamakia during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Origin
Meaning and history of Tamakia
The given name Tamakia has its origins in the ancient Polynesian language and culture, tracing back to the early centuries of the first millennium. The name is believed to be derived from the Proto-Polynesian root words "tama," meaning child or son, and "kia," signifying strength or power. This combination suggests a meaning akin to "strong child" or "powerful offspring."
The earliest recorded instances of the name Tamakia can be found in ancient Polynesian oral traditions and folklore, where it was often bestowed upon newborn sons as a symbol of parental hopes and aspirations for their future strength and resilience. In these ancient narratives, individuals bearing the name Tamakia were often depicted as courageous warriors, skilled navigators, or revered leaders within their respective island communities.
One of the earliest known historical figures to bear the name Tamakia was a renowned navigator and explorer from the island of Tonga, who lived during the 12th century CE. According to oral histories, Tamakia led a daring voyage across the vast Pacific Ocean, discovering and settling new islands along the way. His exploits and navigational prowess were celebrated in traditional chants and songs that have been passed down through generations.
Another notable figure bearing the name Tamakia was a revered chief of the Maori people in present-day New Zealand, who lived in the 16th century. Known for his wisdom, diplomacy, and leadership skills, Tamakia played a crucial role in forging alliances between various Maori tribes and maintaining peace among the island's inhabitants.
In the 18th century, a influential Tahitian chief named Tamakia gained recognition for his role in welcoming and establishing friendly relations with European explorers visiting the islands. His open-mindedness and willingness to engage in cultural exchange were instrumental in facilitating the early encounters between Polynesian and Western civilizations.
During the 19th century, a renowned Hawaiian scholar and historian named Tamakia made significant contributions to preserving and documenting the rich cultural heritage and traditions of the Hawaiian people. His extensive writings and research on Hawaiian language, customs, and genealogies provided invaluable insights into the ancient Polynesian way of life.
Throughout its long history, the name Tamakia has been associated with strength, resilience, and a spirit of exploration and discovery. Its enduring presence across various Polynesian cultures serves as a testament to the rich linguistic and cultural heritage of the Pacific islands.
People
Tamakia + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Tamakia 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
Tamakia: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Tamakia?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 85 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Tamakia 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 4,032,404 US residents.
Is Tamakia a common name?
We classify Tamakia as "Very Rare". It ranks above 62.2% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 92 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Tamakia most popular?
The single biggest year for Tamakia was 1979, when 14 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Tamakia is about 48 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Tamakia a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Tamakia in the SSA data are female. 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.
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.