Terah Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: TEH-rah /ˈtɛrə/
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: fragrant; a place of great beauty
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Terah has its roots in the Hebrew language, derived from the word 'terach,' which means 'to breathe' or 'to be a wanderer.' This name appears in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in the Book of Genesis, where Terah is identified as the father of Abram (later known as Abraham), a pivotal figure in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The name's journey into English can be traced through the Septuagint, the ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, and later through the Latin Vulgate, which further influenced the Old French translations before entering the English lexicon.
Historically, Terah is significant as a patriarchal figure in the biblical narrative, living during the early 2nd millennium BCE. His story is intertwined with themes of migration and divine calling, as he is depicted as leading his family from Ur of the Chaldeans towards the land of Canaan, a journey that would set the stage for the emergence of the Israelite nation.
The mention of Terah in the genealogies of the Hebrew Bible underscores his role in the lineage of Abraham, who is often referred to as the father of faith in the Abrahamic traditions. Culturally, the name Terah carries connotations of journey and transformation, reflecting the broader themes of faith and divine purpose found in the biblical texts.
The name has been associated with the idea of wandering, which resonates with the nomadic lifestyle of the ancient Hebrews. Although not widely used as a given name in contemporary contexts, Terah's historical and religious significance ensures its presence in discussions of biblical genealogy and heritage.
The name may also have diminutive forms or variations in different cultures, but its primary association remains with the biblical patriarch.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Terah, 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 Terah. 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 Terah was first seen in the United States in 1955.
Terah has ranked as high as #2787 nationally, which occurred in 1985, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Ohio, Illinois, and Indiana.
In the past 5 years the name Terah has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Terah 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 Terah 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 Terah.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 2017 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 2016 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 2015 | 11 | 0 | 11 |
| 2014 | 14 | 0 | 14 |
| 2013 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 2012 | 11 | 0 | 11 |
| 2011 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 2010 | 12 | 0 | 12 |
| 2009 | 16 | 0 | 16 |
| 2008 | 12 | 0 | 12 |
| 2007 | 13 | 0 | 13 |
| 2006 | 16 | 0 | 16 |
| 2005 | 17 | 0 | 17 |
| 2004 | 20 | 0 | 20 |
| 2003 | 13 | 0 | 13 |
| 2002 | 20 | 0 | 20 |
| 2001 | 20 | 0 | 20 |
| 2000 | 20 | 0 | 20 |
| 1999 | 19 | 0 | 19 |
| 1998 | 23 | 0 | 23 |
| 1997 | 21 | 0 | 21 |
| 1996 | 29 | 0 | 29 |
| 1995 | 19 | 0 | 19 |
| 1994 | 24 | 0 | 24 |
| 1993 | 34 | 0 | 34 |
| 1992 | 23 | 0 | 23 |
| 1991 | 36 | 6 | 30 |
| 1990 | 55 | 0 | 55 |
| 1989 | 34 | 0 | 34 |
| 1988 | 42 | 0 | 42 |
| 1987 | 29 | 0 | 29 |
| 1986 | 40 | 0 | 40 |
| 1985 | 65 | 0 | 65 |
| 1984 | 53 | 0 | 53 |
| 1983 | 64 | 0 | 64 |
| 1982 | 58 | 5 | 53 |
| 1981 | 64 | 6 | 58 |
| 1980 | 53 | 5 | 48 |
| 1979 | 45 | 0 | 45 |
| 1978 | 49 | 6 | 43 |
| 1977 | 58 | 5 | 53 |
| 1976 | 34 | 0 | 34 |
| 1975 | 33 | 0 | 33 |
| 1974 | 38 | 5 | 33 |
| 1973 | 25 | 0 | 25 |
| 1972 | 22 | 0 | 22 |
| 1971 | 17 | 0 | 17 |
| 1970 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 1969 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 1968 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1967 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 1966 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1965 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 1964 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 1961 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1960 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1959 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 1955 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
Top States for Terah (1996)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 7 |