Find out how popular the first name Tangerine has been for the last 19 years (from 1977 to 1995) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Tangerine by gender

Based on the last 19 years of data, Tangerine is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 1995, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Tangerine.

The history of the first name Tangerine

The name Tangerine is a relatively modern invention, derived from the citrus fruit of the same name. Its origins can be traced back to the late 17th century, when the tangerine fruit was first introduced to Europe from its native region of Southeast Asia.

The tangerine fruit itself is believed to have originated in the area around modern-day China and Vietnam, where it was cultivated for centuries before being exported to other parts of the world. The word "tangerine" is thought to be a corruption of the Dutch term "tangerine," which in turn comes from the name of the North African city of Tangier, a major trading hub for the fruit.

As the tangerine fruit gained popularity in Europe during the 18th and 19th centuries, its distinctive orange color and sweet flavor became associated with concepts of warmth, vibrancy, and enjoyment. It was during this period that the name Tangerine began to be used as a given name, particularly for girls born into affluent families who could afford the luxury of the exotic fruit.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Tangerine being used as a first name dates back to 1832, when a young girl named Tangerine Sophia Willoughby was born into a wealthy English family. Although the name was considered quite unusual at the time, it gradually gained more widespread acceptance as a reflection of the growing popularity of the tangerine fruit itself.

Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, several notable individuals bore the name Tangerine, including:

1. Tangerine Violet Beaumont (1857-1932), a British socialite and philanthropist known for her work in promoting women's education.
2. Tangerine Lillian Fairchild (1875-1941), an American artist and illustrator whose vibrant paintings often featured scenes of tangerine orchards.
3. Tangerine Evangeline Whitmore (1892-1978), a Canadian writer and poet whose works frequently explored themes of nature and the changing seasons.
4. Tangerine Juliette Montrose (1910-1997), a French actress and dancer who performed in numerous Parisian revues during the 1930s and 1940s.
5. Tangerine Ophelia Sinclair (1924-2008), an Australian botanist and horticulturist who specialized in the cultivation of citrus fruits, including tangerines.

While the name Tangerine has never achieved widespread popularity, it remains a unique and evocative choice for parents seeking a name with a connection to the natural world and a sense of vibrancy and warmth.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Tangerine was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Tangerine, please contact us.

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!