Meaning & History
Tammi is a spelling variant of Tammy. As a feminine given name in English, it arises from the trend of altering the spelling of established names, often to create a more distinctive or modern appearance. The name Tammy itself originated as a short form of Tamara and other names beginning with the syllable "Tam." Thus, Tammi ultimately traces back to the Hebrew name Tamar (meaning "palm tree"), via the Russian form Tamara.
Etymology and Origins
The root name Tamara is the Russian form of Tamar, a name borne by a notable figure in the Bible (Genesis 38) and later by Queen Tamar of Georgia in the 12th–13th centuries. The name gained popularity in the English-speaking world thanks to several Russian performers in the early 20th century, including ballerina Tamara Karsavina (1885–1978) and actress Tamara Geva (1907–1997). The name entered the U.S. popularity charts around 1957 and quickly rose. Under this influence, the diminutive Tammy became common, and in turn spawned spelling variants like Tami, Tammie, and Tammi.
Finnish Surname
In addition to being an English given name, Tammi is also a Finnish surname. According to Finnish etymology, Tammi derives from tammi meaning "oak" (compare Estonian Tamm). It may also stem from a dialectal word tammi meaning "dam" or via place names. Some Finnish families have adopted Tammi as a translation of Swedish surnames beginning with Ek (also meaning "oak").
Notable Bearers
While Tammi is less common as a given name than its variants, it has been used in the United States since the mid-20th century. Notable bearers include Tammi Terrell (1945–1970), an American soul singer who recorded hit duets with Marvin Gaye. Other uses of the name appear in popular culture, such as the fictional character Tammi in various TV series.
Related Forms
Variants of Tammi include Tammy, Tami, and Tammie. In other languages, the name occurs as Tamara (Ukrainian, Russian), Tamar (Hebrew), Thamar (Biblical Latin), Themar (Biblical Greek), Taia (Georgian), and Tamāra (Latvian).
- Meaning: Variant of Tammy (ultimately "palm tree")
- Origin: English, with roots in Hebrew and Russian
- Type: Feminine given name
- Usage Regions: United States, other English-speaking countries
Related Names
Sources: Wiktionary — Tammi