Temperance Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: TEM-per-ance //ˈtɛmpərəns//
Origin: Latin; English
Meaning: Latin: moderation; English: self-restraint
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Temperance derives from the Latin word "temperantia," which means moderation or self-restraint. This Latin term is rooted in the verb "temperare," meaning to mix or to moderate.
The transition of the name into English occurred through Old French, where it was adopted as "temperance" in the Middle Ages, reflecting the virtue of moderation in various aspects of life, particularly in relation to alcohol consumption. The name embodies a moral quality that has been valued across cultures and eras, emphasizing balance and self-control.
Historically, the concept of temperance has been significant in various religious and philosophical traditions. In Christian contexts, temperance is one of the cardinal virtues, often associated with the teachings of the Church Fathers and later emphasized during the Renaissance.
The name gained further prominence during the 19th century in connection with the temperance movement, which advocated for the reduction or prohibition of alcohol consumption. This movement was particularly influential in the United States and the United Kingdom, leading to various social reforms and the eventual establishment of Prohibition in the early 20th century.
Culturally, the name Temperance has been associated with ideals of virtue, restraint, and moral integrity. It has appeared in literature and art, often symbolizing the struggle between indulgence and moderation.
Notably, the name is mentioned in the King James Bible, where it is linked to the fruits of the Spirit, reinforcing its moral significance. The name has also inspired various diminutive forms, though its full form remains the most recognized.
Overall, Temperance carries a rich historical and cultural resonance, reflecting a longstanding appreciation for the value of moderation.
Fictional characters named Temperance
The following list of fictional characters named Temperance is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Temperance Brennan is a fictional character from the TV series Bones. She is a forensic anthropologist who helps solve crimes by examining human remains.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Temperance, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Temperance. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Temperance was first seen in the United States in 1916.
Temperance has ranked as high as #1578 nationally, which occurred in 2014, and has been most popular in Texas, Ohio, Michigan, California, and Missouri.
In the past 5 years the name Temperance has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Temperance is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Temperance was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Temperance.
| Year | Total Births | Girl |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 94 | 94 |
| 2024 | 92 | 92 |
| 2023 | 100 | 100 |
| 2022 | 125 | 125 |
| 2021 | 123 | 123 |
| 2020 | 147 | 147 |
| 2019 | 156 | 156 |
| 2018 | 164 | 164 |
| 2017 | 190 | 190 |
| 2016 | 235 | 235 |
| 2015 | 251 | 251 |
| 2014 | 324 | 324 |
| 2013 | 289 | 289 |
| 2012 | 321 | 321 |
| 2011 | 274 | 274 |
| 2010 | 215 | 215 |
| 2009 | 165 | 165 |
| 2008 | 88 | 88 |
| 2007 | 78 | 78 |
| 2006 | 20 | 20 |
| 2005 | 8 | 8 |
| 2004 | 6 | 6 |
| 2002 | 5 | 5 |
| 2001 | 8 | 8 |
| 1999 | 6 | 6 |
| 1997 | 13 | 13 |
| 1996 | 9 | 9 |
| 1995 | 10 | 10 |
| 1994 | 8 | 8 |
| 1993 | 7 | 7 |
| 1992 | 9 | 9 |
| 1991 | 13 | 13 |
| 1990 | 14 | 14 |
| 1989 | 9 | 9 |
| 1988 | 9 | 9 |
| 1987 | 6 | 6 |
| 1986 | 6 | 6 |
| 1985 | 6 | 6 |
| 1984 | 10 | 10 |
| 1983 | 8 | 8 |
| 1982 | 5 | 5 |
| 1981 | 6 | 6 |
| 1980 | 8 | 8 |
| 1979 | 13 | 13 |
| 1978 | 8 | 8 |
| 1977 | 7 | 7 |
| 1976 | 10 | 10 |
| 1975 | 6 | 6 |
| 1974 | 6 | 6 |
| 1973 | 5 | 5 |
| 1972 | 9 | 9 |
| 1916 | 5 | 5 |
Top States for Temperance (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 8 | |
| IN | 7 | |
| CA | 5 | |
| MO | 5 | |
| NY | 5 |