Terrence
Terrence was the 1600th most popular name for boys in 2025, given to 107 babies. Its best year was 1950, when it ranked 176th; the most babies were born in 1955 (1,497). Over the last ten years it has moved down 786 places. More babies were named Terrence in the 1950s than in any other decade.
Meaning (as Terrance) Origin uncertain · Latin
- Rank in 2025
- #1,600 boys, down 467 places since 2020
- Babies in 2025
- 107boys
- Girls and boys
- Almost always a boy’s name2021–2025
- Peak year
- 19551,497 babies
- Total since 1880
- 72,939babies recorded
What does the name Terrence mean?
Terrence 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)
Terrence popularity since 1880
A few girls are given the name too: 527 since 1943.
| Year | Rank (boys) | Babies (boys) |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #1,600 | 107 |
| 2020 | #1,133 | 173 |
| 2010 | #588 | 426 |
| 2000 | #488 | 480 |
| 1990 | #255 | 1,055 |
| 1980 | #209 | 1,185 |
| 1970 | #187 | 1,460 |
| 1960 | #251 | 1,014 |
| 1950 | #176 | 1,267 |
| 1940 | #280 | 397 |
| 1930 | #794 | 67 |
| 1920 | #938 | 55 |
| 1910 | #1,186 | 9 |
| 1900 | #1,485 | 5 |
| 1890 | #733 | 9 |
| 1880 | — | — |
How popular is Terrence, counting every spelling?
Terrence is a spelling of Terrance, a name family that ranked #869 for boys in 2025 once every spelling is counted together, compared with #1,600 for Terrence on its own. 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 many kids will share the name Terrence?
107 of the 3,606,400 babies born in the US in 2025 were named Terrence (0.03 per 1,000 births). For a boy named Terrence born in 2025, the chance that another child with the same name is in a class of 20 children the same age is under 1 in 50. If every grade liked the name as much as the 2025 babies do, only about one elementary school in 78 (of 430 pupils) would have a child named Terrence.
Shares of all registered births (NCHS); classes assumed to be children born the same year. How we estimate this.
How old are people named Terrence?
About 57,200 people born in the US named Terrence are alive today, with a median age of 49; half are between 35 and 64. That makes Terrence 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.
Terrence by state
How common Terrence was among boys born in each state in 2021–2025. It is notably more common than nationally in Illinois (2.1×), Georgia (1.7×), North Carolina (1.6×), Florida (1.5×). In 33 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 Terrence: their share of US boys followed the most similar curve since 1880. If you like Terrence, they share its era and feel.
Questions about the name Terrence
What does Terrence mean?
The origin of Terrance is uncertain: the Roman family name Terentius has no agreed meaning.
How popular is the name Terrence?
Terrence was the 1600th most popular name for boys in 2025, given to 107 babies. Its best year was 1950, when it ranked 176th; the most babies were born in 1955 (1,497). Over the last ten years it has moved down 786 places. More babies were named Terrence in the 1950s than in any other decade.
Is Terrence a boy or girl name?
In 2021–2025, almost always a boy’s name given the name Terrence in the US.
Where is Terrence most popular?
In 2021–2025, Terrence was most common in Illinois (0.16 per 1,000 boys), followed by Georgia and North Carolina.