Terrence
Terrence is a boy's name of Latin origin.
Meaning
Tender, gracious, or unknown Roman clan origin.
Origin and history
Terrence is a classic English name derived from the Roman family name Terentius. It enjoyed significant popularity in the mid-to-late 20th century in the United States. While less common today, it remains a recognized traditional masculine name.
Popularity in the United States
72,412 babies in the United States have been named Terrence since 1880. It ranks #394 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1172.
States where it is most popular
- IL (10.4 %)
- NY (10.2 %)
- OH (7.1 %)
- CA (6.2 %)
- MI (5.7 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 25 |
| 1890-1900 | 59 |
| 1900-1910 | 28 |
| 1910-1920 | 213 |
| 1920-1930 | 584 |
| 1930-1940 | 1,773 |
| 1940-1950 | 7,656 |
| 1950-1960 | 12,833 |
| 1960-1970 | 10,818 |
| 1970-1980 | 11,905 |
| 1980-1990 | 10,665 |
| 1990-2000 | 7,724 |
| 2000-2010 | 4,297 |
| 2010-2019 | 3,003 |
| 2020-2029 | 829 |
Famous people named Terrence
- Terrence Howard: Actor, Musician
- Terrence Malick: Director, Screenwriter
- Terrence Ross: Athlete
Nicknames
Terry, TJ
Fun facts
- The name traces back to Publius Terentius Afer, a famous playwright of the Roman Republic known as Terence.
- Terrence reached its highest popularity in the United States during the 1950s through the 1970s.