Thurston Boy

Popularity: #933 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: THUR-stən //ˈθɜːrstən//

Origin: Old English; Scandinavian

Meaning: Old English: thorn bush; Scandinavian: Thor's stone

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Thurston has its roots in Old Norse, derived from the personal name Þórsteinn, which combines the elements 'Þór' (Thor), the Norse god of thunder, and 'steinn' meaning 'stone'. This name evolved through various linguistic stages, transitioning from Old Norse to Middle English as 'Thurstan' or 'Thurston', before being adopted into modern English.

The name reflects a common practice in Norse culture of naming children after deities, symbolizing strength and resilience, which were highly valued traits in Viking society. Historically, the name Thurston appears in England during the medieval period, with notable figures such as Thurstan, Archbishop of York, who served from 1114 to 1140.

His prominence in ecclesiastical history contributed to the name's recognition and usage in England. Additionally, the name is mentioned in various historical documents, including the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is associated with landholdings in Yorkshire, indicating its geographical and social significance during that era.

The name has also been borne by various English nobles and landowners throughout the centuries, further embedding it in the historical narrative of England. Culturally, the name Thurston has been associated with qualities of strength and steadfastness, reflecting its etymological roots linked to Thor.

The name has also been used in literature and folklore, often embodying characters that represent bravery and honor. While diminutive forms such as 'Thur' may exist, the name Thurston itself has maintained a distinct identity through its historical and cultural associations, contributing to its endurance in the English-speaking world.

Famous people named Thurston

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

We also feature individuals named Thurston 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.

Thurston Moore is a musician best known for being a founding member of Sonic Youth, as well as his solo work and collaborations.

Thurston Harris is a singer best known for his hit single Little Bitty Pretty One.

Fictional characters named Thurston

The following list of fictional characters named Thurston 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.

Thurston Howell III is a fictional character from the TV show Gilligan's Island. He is a wealthy, snobbish millionaire who often clashes with the other castaways on the island.

Sibling suggestions

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

HarrisonWinstonGarrisonMasonTristanDustin

Similar names

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

ThorstenTobiasTristanThaddeusTuckerTannerTerrenceTheodore

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Thurston was first seen in the United States in 1884.

Thurston has ranked as high as #1567 nationally, which occurred in 1918, and has been most popular in North Carolina, Alabama, Texas, Tennessee, and New York.

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

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Thurston 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 Thurston 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 Thurston.

Year Total Births Boy
2025 5 5
2024 10 10
2023 8 8
2022 9 9
2021 13 13
2020 11 11
2019 12 12
2018 7 7
2017 11 11
2016 16 16
2015 19 19
2014 15 15
2013 24 24
2012 16 16
2011 28 28
2010 24 24
2009 18 18
2008 23 23
2007 21 21
2006 21 21
2005 20 20
2004 18 18
2003 15 15
2002 11 11
2001 13 13
2000 13 13
1999 15 15
1998 10 10
1997 17 17
1996 15 15
1995 16 16
1994 14 14
1993 15 15
1992 23 23
1991 29 29
1990 10 10
1989 24 24
1988 28 28
1987 22 22
1986 21 21
1985 21 21
1984 25 25
1983 24 24
1982 21 21
1981 27 27
1980 30 30
1979 29 29
1978 24 24
1977 17 17
1976 24 24
1975 19 19
1974 32 32
1973 32 32
1972 24 24
1971 41 41
1970 32 32
1969 27 27
1968 32 32
1967 25 25
1966 21 21
1965 30 30
1964 31 31
1963 30 30
1962 34 34
1961 32 32
1960 34 34
1959 33 33
1958 47 47
1957 39 39
1956 38 38
1955 29 29
1954 25 25
1953 27 27
1952 31 31
1951 41 41
1950 28 28
1949 44 44
1948 34 34
1947 37 37
1946 39 39
1945 50 50
1944 42 42
1943 29 29
1942 29 29
1941 34 34
1940 33 33
1939 32 32
1938 30 30
1937 39 39
1936 27 27
1935 34 34
1934 38 38
1933 38 38
1932 31 31
1931 44 44
1930 45 45
1929 38 38
1928 52 52
1927 39 39
1926 51 51
1925 45 45
1924 67 67
1923 56 56
1922 55 55
1921 72 72
1920 67 67
1919 55 55
1918 73 73
1917 54 54
1916 42 42
1915 64 64
1914 39 39
1913 45 45
1912 26 26
1911 14 14
1910 16 16
1909 10 10
1908 7 7
1907 5 5
1905 9 9
1904 8 8
1903 7 7
1902 8 8
1900 11 11
1898 9 9
1895 5 5
1884 7 7

Top States for Thurston (2013)

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 9
100%