Terance
Terance was not among the names given to 5 or more boys in 2025. Its best year was 1966, when it ranked 940th; the most babies were born in 1991 (76). More babies were named Terance in the 1980s than in any other decade.
Meaning (as Terrance) Origin uncertain · Latin
- Rank in 2025
- Not rankedboys
- Babies in 2025
- 0boys
- Girls and boys
- Almost always a boy’s name2021–2025
- Peak year
- 199176 babies
- Total since 1880
- 2,840babies recorded
What does the name Terance mean?
Terance is a spelling of Terrance, pronounced the same way, so it shares Terrance's meaning and origin.
Terrance is a spelling of Terence, from the Latin Terentius, a Roman family name of unknown origin. Its best-known bearer is the Roman comic playwright Terence (2nd century BC). DMNES notes that in Ireland Terentius was used to render the Irish name Toirdhealbhach (Turlough) in Latin, which made Terence common among the Irish. Terrance, with its -ance ending, is chiefly an American spelling.
Terentius (Latin, “Roman family name of unknown origin”)
How sure is this? Uncertain. The Roman family name Terentius has no agreed meaning.
Related names: Terence, Terrence, Terry.
See also: Latin names.
Sources for this meaning
- Wiktionary, entry 'Terrance', Wiktionary (Wikimedia Foundation)
- Wiktionary, entry 'Terence', Wiktionary (Wikimedia Foundation)
- Dictionary of Medieval Names from European Sources, ed. S. L. Uckelman, Edition 2023 no. 1, s.v. 'Terence', DMNES (Durham University)
- Wikipedia, 'Terrance', Wikipedia (Wikimedia Foundation)
Terance popularity since 1880
| Year | Rank (boys) | Babies (boys) |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2020 | #11,871 | 6 |
| 2010 | #4,663 | 21 |
| 2000 | #4,050 | 20 |
| 1990 | #1,418 | 63 |
| 1980 | #1,185 | 60 |
| 1970 | #1,205 | 48 |
| 1960 | #1,166 | 46 |
| 1950 | #1,460 | 26 |
| 1940 | #3,889 | 5 |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
How popular is Terance, counting every spelling?
Terance is a spelling of Terrance, a name family that ranked #869 for boys in 2025 once every spelling is counted together. Together these spellings went to 263 boys in 2025.
| Spelling | Babies 2025 | Official rank | Babies 2021–2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terrance | 109 | #1,570 | 799 |
| Terrence | 107 | #1,600 | 656 |
| Terence | 47 | #2,753 | 244 |
Spellings count together when they sound the same in American English and are used for the same sex; nicknames and forms that sound different (such as Theo and Theodore) are kept apart. How we group spellings.
How old are people named Terance?
About 2,500 people born in the US named Terance are alive today, with a median age of 45; half are between 34 and 58. That makes Terance mostly worn by adults in their thirties to fifties.
Babies given the name each year (SSA) times the share of that birth year still alive (SSA life tables). Counts people born in the US only. Method.
Terance by state
How common Terance was among boys born in each state in 1989–1993, around its peak. In 42 states fewer than five boys a year got the name, too few for SSA to publish, so those states show as zero.
Names with a similar history
These names rose and fell in step with Terance: their share of US boys followed the most similar curve since 1880. If you like Terance, they share its era and feel.
Questions about the name Terance
What does Terance mean?
The origin of Terrance is uncertain: the Roman family name Terentius has no agreed meaning.
How popular is the name Terance?
Terance was not among the names given to 5 or more boys in 2025. Its best year was 1966, when it ranked 940th; the most babies were born in 1991 (76). More babies were named Terance in the 1980s than in any other decade.
Is Terance a boy or girl name?
In 2021–2025, almost always a boy’s name given the name Terance in the US.
Where was Terance most popular?
In 1989–1993, Terance was most common in Mississippi (0.06 per 1,000 boys), followed by Georgia and Alabama.