Thor Boy

Popularity: #894 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: Thor //θɔːr//

Origin: Norse; Scandinavian

Meaning: Norse: thunder; Scandinavian: strong

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Thor originates from Old Norse "Þórr," which is derived from the Proto-Germanic root "*Þunraz," meaning "thunder." This etymology reflects the name's association with the Norse god of thunder, who was a prominent figure in Norse mythology. The name made its way into English through the influence of Old Norse during the Viking Age, particularly as Norse settlers and their culture spread across parts of the British Isles from the 8th to the 11th centuries.

The transition into English was facilitated by the integration of Norse mythology into local folklore and language, especially in regions heavily influenced by Viking activity. Historically, Thor is best known as a major deity in Norse mythology, often depicted wielding his hammer, Mjölnir, and associated with protection, strength, and the natural elements.

The god Thor appears in various historical texts, including the Poetic Edda and the Prose Edda, both of which were composed in the 13th century but draw on much older oral traditions. These texts played a crucial role in preserving Norse mythology and the significance of Thor within it.

Additionally, the name has been linked to various historical figures, including Scandinavian kings and warriors, who adopted the name as a symbol of strength and valor. Culturally, Thor has remained a powerful symbol in various traditions, often representing the archetype of the warrior and protector.

His enduring legacy is evident in the continued reverence for his name in modern contexts, including literature and popular culture. The name has also inspired various diminutive forms and related names across different cultures, such as "Thorin" or "Thorvald," which carry similar connotations of strength and nobility.

Overall, the name Thor encapsulates a rich tapestry of linguistic, historical, and cultural significance that has persisted through the centuries.

Famous people named Thor

In this section, you will find notable people named Thor. 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 Thor who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Thor 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.

Thor Heyerdahl is an explorer and anthropologist best known for the Kon-Tiki expedition, Ra expeditions, and his theories on ancient sea travel.

Thor Bjornsson is an actor and professional strongman best known for his role as The Mountain in Game of Thrones, and winning the World's Strongest Man competition.

Fictional characters named Thor

The following list of fictional characters named Thor 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.

Thor is a fictional character from the Marvel Comics universe. He is the Norse god of thunder and a prominent member of the superhero team, the Avengers.

Thor is a fictional character from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He is a powerful Asgardian warrior and the son of Odin, often battling to protect both Earth and Asgard.

Sibling suggestions

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

LokiFreyaOdinBaldurSif

Similar names

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

TobiasTheoTroyTannerTateTalonTorrinThaddeus

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Thor was first seen in the United States in 1904.

Thor has ranked as high as #3180 nationally, which occurred in 2015, and has been most popular in California, Minnesota, Washington, New York, and Florida.

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

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Thor 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 Thor 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 Thor.

Year Total Births Boy
2025 44 44
2024 46 46
2023 71 71
2022 81 81
2021 87 87
2020 86 86
2019 95 95
2018 106 106
2017 99 99
2016 90 90
2015 118 118
2014 115 115
2013 94 94
2012 104 104
2011 107 107
2010 98 98
2009 77 77
2008 103 103
2007 73 73
2006 74 74
2005 75 75
2004 57 57
2003 71 71
2002 57 57
2001 62 62
2000 50 50
1999 49 49
1998 45 45
1997 50 50
1996 48 48
1995 45 45
1994 51 51
1993 45 45
1992 61 61
1991 48 48
1990 56 56
1989 53 53
1988 48 48
1987 55 55
1986 49 49
1985 38 38
1984 45 45
1983 41 41
1982 41 41
1981 40 40
1980 59 59
1979 52 52
1978 46 46
1977 37 37
1976 37 37
1975 46 46
1974 51 51
1973 59 59
1972 64 64
1971 81 81
1970 65 65
1969 65 65
1968 67 67
1967 47 47
1966 67 67
1965 59 59
1964 56 56
1963 50 50
1962 52 52
1961 64 64
1960 41 41
1959 28 28
1958 23 23
1957 20 20
1956 27 27
1955 32 32
1954 14 14
1953 17 17
1952 21 21
1951 13 13
1950 13 13
1949 18 18
1948 14 14
1947 19 19
1946 11 11
1945 11 11
1944 15 15
1943 14 14
1942 14 14
1941 15 15
1940 6 6
1939 8 8
1938 12 12
1937 9 9
1936 6 6
1935 10 10
1934 11 11
1933 5 5
1932 12 12
1931 10 10
1930 8 8
1929 13 13
1928 15 15
1927 5 5
1926 9 9
1925 16 16
1924 13 13
1923 8 8
1922 11 11
1921 11 11
1920 16 16
1919 9 9
1918 12 12
1917 15 15
1916 10 10
1915 13 13
1914 11 11
1913 9 9
1912 7 7
1904 5 5

Top States for Thor (2023)

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
WA 7
27%
CA 7
27%
MI 6
23%
FL 6
23%