Temperance
Temperance is a girl's name of English origin.
Meaning
Moderation, self-restraint, or balance.
Origin and history
Temperance is an English virtue name derived from the Latin word 'temperantia', meaning moderation or self-restraint. Historically associated with Puritans and later the 19th-century temperance movement, it has experienced a minor revival in contemporary usage as an uncommon virtue name. In the United States, it remains relatively rare but consistently registered.
Popularity in the United States
3,709 babies in the United States have been named Temperance since 1880. It ranks #2899 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1431.
States where it is most popular
- TX (9.1 %)
- OH (7.4 %)
- MI (6.8 %)
- CA (6.7 %)
- IN (5.3 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 5 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 0 |
| 1950-1960 | 0 |
| 1960-1970 | 0 |
| 1970-1980 | 64 |
| 1980-1990 | 73 |
| 1990-2000 | 89 |
| 2000-2010 | 378 |
| 2010-2019 | 2,419 |
| 2020-2029 | 681 |
Famous people named Temperance
- Temperance Flowerdew: Colonial settler
Nicknames
Tempe, Temmie
Fun facts
- Temperance emerged as a given name among 17th-century Puritans along with names like Charity, Prudence, and Patience.
- The name gained increased visibility in the 2000s through the lead character Dr. Temperance 'Bones' Brennan in the television series Bones.