Tor Boy
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.
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.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Tor was first seen in the United States in 1950.
Tor has ranked as high as #1085 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 about the same 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.
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. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| WA | 5 |
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 | Births |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2022 | 10 |
| 2021 | 13 |
| 2020 | 15 |
| 2019 | 13 |
| 2018 | 8 |
| 2017 | 8 |
| 2016 | 15 |
| 2015 | 11 |
| 2014 | 16 |
| 2013 | 17 |
| 2012 | 12 |
| 2011 | 14 |
| 2010 | 16 |
| 2009 | 12 |
| 2008 | 10 |
| 2007 | 20 |
| 2006 | 10 |
| 2005 | 19 |
| 2004 | 13 |
| 2003 | 12 |
| 2002 | 10 |
| 2001 | 15 |
| 2000 | 22 |
| 1999 | 13 |
| 1998 | 9 |
| 1997 | 11 |
| 1996 | 11 |
| 1995 | 5 |
| 1994 | 12 |
| 1993 | 11 |
| 1992 | 13 |
| 1991 | 17 |
| 1990 | 16 |
| 1989 | 12 |
| 1988 | 8 |
| 1987 | 8 |
| 1986 | 9 |
| 1985 | 5 |
| 1983 | 16 |
| 1982 | 8 |
| 1981 | 9 |
| 1980 | 13 |
| 1979 | 15 |
| 1978 | 12 |
| 1977 | 10 |
| 1976 | 14 |
| 1975 | 13 |
| 1974 | 18 |
| 1973 | 11 |
| 1972 | 20 |
| 1971 | 15 |
| 1970 | 18 |
| 1969 | 14 |
| 1968 | 23 |
| 1967 | 12 |
| 1966 | 18 |
| 1965 | 30 |
| 1964 | 15 |
| 1963 | 9 |
| 1962 | 9 |
| 1961 | 11 |
| 1960 | 9 |
| 1959 | 8 |
| 1958 | 5 |
| 1957 | 7 |
| 1955 | 6 |
| 1954 | 10 |
| 1953 | 7 |
| 1950 | 6 |