Tor Boy

Popularity: #926 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: Tor //tɔːr//

Origin: Norse; Hebrew

Meaning: Norse: thunder; Hebrew: a rock

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Tor has its roots in Old Norse, deriving from the word "Þórr," which translates to "thunder." This etymology is linked to the Norse god Thor, a prominent figure in Norse mythology known for his strength and his role as a protector of mankind. The name made its way into English through the influence of Old Norse during the Viking Age, particularly as Norse settlers and explorers interacted with the British Isles from the 8th to the 11th centuries.

The transition from Þórr to Tor reflects the phonetic adaptations that occurred as the name was integrated into various languages, including the eventual English form. Historically, the name Tor has been associated with notable figures in Norse sagas and literature.

Thor, as a deity, was central to the Norse pantheon, and his stories were preserved in texts such as the Poetic Edda and the Prose Edda, compiled in the 13th century. These texts played a crucial role in the transmission of Norse mythology and culture, influencing not only Scandinavian societies but also the broader European literary tradition.

The name Tor, while less common than its full form Thor, has been used in various contexts, including as a given name and a surname. Culturally, the name Tor carries connotations of strength and protection, echoing the attributes of the god Thor.

In Scandinavian countries, it has been embraced in various forms, often reflecting a connection to heritage and mythology. The diminutive form "Tore" is also historically relevant, showcasing the name's adaptability across different languages and cultures.

Overall, the name Tor encapsulates a rich historical and cultural legacy, rooted in ancient mythology and enduring through centuries of linguistic evolution.

Famous people named Tor

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

We also feature individuals named Tor 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.

Tor Johnson is an actor best known for his roles in Plan 9 from Outer Space, Bride of the Monster, and The Beast of Yucca Flats.

Fictional characters named Tor

The following list of fictional characters named Tor 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.

Tor is a fictional character from the comic book series Tor. He is a prehistoric caveman who navigates the challenges of survival in a primitive world.

Sibling suggestions

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

TobiasTroyTannerTheoTate

Similar names

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

TobiasTroyTannerTateTobynToreThorTorrin

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Tor was first seen in the United States in 1949.

Tor has ranked as high as #3397 nationally, which occurred in 1965, and has been most popular in California, New York, and Washington.

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

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Tor 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 Tor 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 Tor.

Year Total Births Boy
2025 12 12
2023 7 7
2022 10 10
2021 13 13
2020 15 15
2019 13 13
2018 8 8
2017 8 8
2016 15 15
2015 11 11
2014 16 16
2013 17 17
2012 12 12
2011 14 14
2010 16 16
2009 12 12
2008 10 10
2007 20 20
2006 10 10
2005 19 19
2004 13 13
2003 12 12
2002 10 10
2001 15 15
2000 22 22
1999 13 13
1998 9 9
1997 11 11
1996 11 11
1995 5 5
1994 12 12
1993 11 11
1992 13 13
1991 17 17
1990 16 16
1989 12 12
1988 8 8
1987 8 8
1986 9 9
1985 5 5
1983 16 16
1982 8 8
1981 9 9
1980 13 13
1979 15 15
1978 12 12
1977 10 10
1976 14 14
1975 13 13
1974 18 18
1973 11 11
1972 20 20
1971 15 15
1970 18 18
1969 14 14
1968 23 23
1967 12 12
1966 18 18
1965 30 30
1964 15 15
1963 9 9
1962 9 9
1961 11 11
1960 9 9
1959 8 8
1958 5 5
1957 7 7
1955 6 6
1954 10 10
1953 7 7
1950 6 6
1949 5 5

Top States for Tor (2021)

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 5
100%