Terrance Boy

Popularity: #829 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: TER-uhns //ˈtɛr.əns//

Origin: Latin; Irish

Meaning: Latin: to pull; Irish: rocky land

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Terrance is derived from the Latin name "Terentius," which is believed to be rooted in the word "terra," meaning "earth" or "land." The name Terentius was borne by a prominent Roman family, and it became more widely recognized through the works of the Roman playwright Terence (Publius Terentius Afer), who lived in the 2nd century BCE. His comedies were influential in the development of Roman literature and later European drama, contributing to the name's enduring legacy.

As the name transitioned into various languages, it evolved into forms such as "Terence" in English and "Terrance" as an alternative spelling. The name was popularized in the English-speaking world during the Middle Ages, particularly through the influence of saints and scholars.

One notable figure is Saint Terence, a Christian martyr whose feast day is celebrated in some traditions, further embedding the name within ecclesiastical contexts. The name Terrance has been associated with qualities such as strength and stability, resonating with its etymological roots connected to the earth.

This connection to the land has made it a symbol of reliability and groundedness in various cultural narratives. Additionally, diminutive forms like "Terry" have emerged, reflecting a more familiar and affectionate usage of the name throughout history.

Overall, Terrance carries a rich historical and cultural significance, rooted in ancient Roman heritage and sustained through literary and religious traditions.

Famous people named Terrance

In this section, you will find notable people named Terrance. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Terrance who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Terrance who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Terrance Howard is an actor best known for Hustle & Flow, Iron Man, and Empire.

Terrance Dicks is a writer best known for his work on Doctor Who and the Target novelizations.

Fictional characters named Terrance

The following list of fictional characters named Terrance 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.

Terrance is a fictional character from the animated television series South Park. He is one half of the duo Terrance and Phillip, known for their crude humor and comedic antics.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Terrance, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

TobiasTristanTannerTroyTateTobiah

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Terrance. 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.

TerrenceTerryTorranceTrentTannerTobiasTalon

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Terrance was first seen in the United States in 1895.

Terrance has ranked as high as #383 nationally, which occurred in 1988, and has been most popular in Illinois, New York, Michigan, California, and Texas.

In the past 5 years the name Terrance has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Terrance 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 Terrance 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 Terrance.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 109 109 0
2024 152 152 0
2023 155 155 0
2022 180 180 0
2021 203 203 0
2020 226 226 0
2019 230 230 0
2018 277 277 0
2017 307 307 0
2016 332 332 0
2015 377 377 0
2014 365 365 0
2013 409 409 0
2012 435 435 0
2011 429 429 0
2010 446 446 0
2009 562 562 0
2008 512 512 0
2007 569 569 0
2006 583 583 0
2005 562 562 0
2004 535 535 0
2003 552 552 0
2002 563 563 0
2001 580 580 0
2000 628 628 0
1999 688 688 0
1998 680 680 0
1997 720 713 7
1996 731 731 0
1995 848 840 8
1994 1,000 993 7
1993 1,058 1,058 0
1992 1,282 1,275 7
1991 1,346 1,346 0
1990 1,236 1,223 13
1989 1,377 1,361 16
1988 1,440 1,424 16
1987 1,144 1,133 11
1986 1,144 1,134 10
1985 1,204 1,188 16
1984 1,227 1,214 13
1983 1,214 1,194 20
1982 1,277 1,267 10
1981 1,288 1,276 12
1980 1,398 1,379 19
1979 1,363 1,346 17
1978 1,296 1,283 13
1977 1,252 1,237 15
1976 1,224 1,199 25
1975 1,204 1,179 25
1974 1,091 1,067 24
1973 1,212 1,187 25
1972 1,128 1,109 19
1971 1,120 1,100 20
1970 1,200 1,177 23
1969 1,002 982 20
1968 1,042 1,023 19
1967 1,006 989 17
1966 976 962 14
1965 968 946 22
1964 1,141 1,120 21
1963 819 809 10
1962 752 745 7
1961 769 758 11
1960 741 725 16
1959 839 827 12
1958 930 917 13
1957 1,051 1,039 12
1956 1,066 1,056 10
1955 1,163 1,142 21
1954 1,138 1,120 18
1953 982 966 16
1952 918 901 17
1951 929 912 17
1950 966 954 12
1949 845 829 16
1948 880 866 14
1947 801 791 10
1946 637 630 7
1945 459 459 0
1944 472 472 0
1943 470 462 8
1942 394 394 0
1941 300 300 0
1940 254 254 0
1939 254 254 0
1938 186 186 0
1937 147 147 0
1936 136 136 0
1935 102 102 0
1934 95 95 0
1933 56 56 0
1932 57 57 0
1931 42 42 0
1930 45 45 0
1929 34 34 0
1928 33 33 0
1927 45 45 0
1926 30 30 0
1925 28 28 0
1924 19 19 0
1923 23 23 0
1922 24 24 0
1921 30 30 0
1920 23 23 0
1919 27 27 0
1918 15 15 0
1917 18 18 0
1916 18 18 0
1915 12 12 0
1914 7 7 0
1913 8 8 0
1912 11 11 0
1911 5 5 0
1910 6 6 0
1895 5 5 0

Top States for Terrance (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 14
13%
FL 13
12%
GA 12
11%
IL 10
9%
NY 10
9%
OH 9
8%
TN 9
8%
MI 8
8%
CA 8
8%
NC 7
7%
IN 6
6%