Tameka Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: tuh-MEE-kuh /təˈmiːkə/
Origin: African American; English
Meaning: African American: 'the one who is loved'; English: 'a variation of Tamika'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Tameka is believed to have African origins, specifically deriving from the Kikuyu language of Kenya, where it is thought to mean "one who is precious" or "a precious one." The name's etymology reflects a broader trend in the 20th century where names of African origin began to gain recognition and appreciation in various cultures, particularly among the African American community in the United States. The name may also be linked to variations such as Tamika, which has similar roots and meanings, further illustrating its linguistic connections.
Historically, the name Tameka and its variants emerged prominently in the late 20th century, coinciding with a cultural renaissance that emphasized African heritage and identity. This period saw a revival of interest in names that reflect African roots, particularly during the civil rights movement and the subsequent decades.
While specific historical milestones directly associated with the name Tameka are scarce, the broader context of African American history during this time underscores its significance as a symbol of cultural pride and resilience. Culturally, Tameka resonates with themes of strength and value, often embodying the qualities of uniqueness and beauty.
The name's association with preciousness aligns with various cultural narratives that celebrate individuality and heritage. In addition, the name has been embraced in various forms of artistic expression, including music and literature, which further solidifies its place in contemporary cultural discourse.
Overall, Tameka serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of names that reflect personal and communal identity.
Famous people named Tameka
In this section, you will find notable people named Tameka. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Tameka who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Tameka who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Tameka Foster is a fashion stylist and entrepreneur best known for her work with Usher and her appearances on reality television.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Tameka, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Tameka. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Tameka was first seen in the United States in 1965.
Tameka has ranked as high as #454 nationally, which occurred in 1977, and has been most popular in Georgia, Texas, Florida, New York, and Illinois.
In the past 5 years the name Tameka has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Tameka is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Tameka was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Tameka.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 2010 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 2009 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| 2008 | 9 | 0 | 9 |
| 2007 | 13 | 0 | 13 |
| 2006 | 9 | 0 | 9 |
| 2005 | 21 | 0 | 21 |
| 2004 | 16 | 0 | 16 |
| 2003 | 17 | 0 | 17 |
| 2002 | 21 | 0 | 21 |
| 2001 | 18 | 0 | 18 |
| 2000 | 37 | 0 | 37 |
| 1999 | 33 | 0 | 33 |
| 1998 | 47 | 0 | 47 |
| 1997 | 58 | 0 | 58 |
| 1996 | 62 | 0 | 62 |
| 1995 | 66 | 0 | 66 |
| 1994 | 96 | 0 | 96 |
| 1993 | 112 | 0 | 112 |
| 1992 | 139 | 0 | 139 |
| 1991 | 171 | 0 | 171 |
| 1990 | 235 | 0 | 235 |
| 1989 | 262 | 0 | 262 |
| 1988 | 262 | 0 | 262 |
| 1987 | 337 | 0 | 337 |
| 1986 | 350 | 0 | 350 |
| 1985 | 429 | 0 | 429 |
| 1984 | 490 | 6 | 484 |
| 1983 | 611 | 5 | 606 |
| 1982 | 689 | 6 | 683 |
| 1981 | 738 | 0 | 738 |
| 1980 | 854 | 9 | 845 |
| 1979 | 880 | 5 | 875 |
| 1978 | 962 | 0 | 962 |
| 1977 | 1,031 | 10 | 1,021 |
| 1976 | 916 | 0 | 916 |
| 1975 | 893 | 0 | 893 |
| 1974 | 568 | 0 | 568 |
| 1973 | 495 | 0 | 495 |
| 1972 | 325 | 0 | 325 |
| 1971 | 210 | 0 | 210 |
| 1970 | 121 | 0 | 121 |
| 1969 | 64 | 0 | 64 |
| 1968 | 52 | 0 | 52 |
| 1967 | 14 | 0 | 14 |
| 1966 | 9 | 0 | 9 |
| 1965 | 9 | 0 | 9 |
Top States for Tameka (1999)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| IL | 7 | |
| NC | 5 |