Torrance Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: TOR-uhns //ˈtɔːrəns//
Origin: Scottish; English
Meaning: Scottish: from the thorn bush; English: derived from a surname
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Torrance has its roots in the Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic word "torran," meaning "hill" or "mound." This etymological origin reflects a geographical feature, often associated with the landscape of Scotland, where many surnames were derived from local topography. The name entered the English language through the adaptation of Scottish surnames, particularly during the periods of increased interaction between England and Scotland from the late Middle Ages onward.
Historically, the name Torrance can be traced back to the 12th century, when surnames began to be adopted in Scotland. The Torrance family is noted in historical records, with various individuals bearing the name participating in significant events throughout Scottish history.
One notable figure is Sir William Torrance, who was mentioned in the 15th century in connection with land grants and local governance. The name also appears in various historical documents and records, contributing to its recognition in Scottish heritage.
Culturally, the name Torrance carries connotations of strength and stability, often associated with the natural landscape of hills and mounds that characterize much of Scotland. This connection to the earth and the enduring nature of hills may have contributed to the name's lasting resonance in Scottish culture.
Additionally, the name has been used in various literary and artistic contexts, further embedding it within the cultural narrative. The diminutive form "Torrie" has also been used, although its historical significance is less pronounced.
Overall, the name Torrance reflects a rich tapestry of linguistic evolution, historical significance, and cultural symbolism.
Famous people named Torrance
In this section, you will find notable people named Torrance. 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 Torrance who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Torrance 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.
Torrance Coombs is an actor best known for Reign, Heartland, and The Vampire Diaries.
Torrance Davis is a musician best known for his work with the hip-hop group The D.O.C. and his solo career.
Fictional characters named Torrance
The following list of fictional characters named Torrance 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.
Torrance Shipman is a fictional character from the film Bring It On. She is the captain of the Toros cheerleading squad who strives to win the national championship.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Torrance, 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 Torrance. 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 Torrance was first seen in the United States in 1940.
Torrance has ranked as high as #945 nationally, which occurred in 1973, and has been most popular in Florida, Illinois, Georgia, Alabama, and California.
In the past 5 years the name Torrance has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Torrance 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 Torrance was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Torrance (2022)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| FL | 6 |
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 Torrance.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 9 |
| 2023 | 15 |
| 2022 | 21 |
| 2021 | 20 |
| 2020 | 18 |
| 2019 | 25 |
| 2018 | 17 |
| 2017 | 41 |
| 2016 | 44 |
| 2015 | 26 |
| 2014 | 39 |
| 2013 | 24 |
| 2012 | 42 |
| 2011 | 43 |
| 2010 | 34 |
| 2009 | 34 |
| 2008 | 45 |
| 2007 | 44 |
| 2006 | 40 |
| 2005 | 36 |
| 2004 | 33 |
| 2003 | 53 |
| 2002 | 41 |
| 2001 | 51 |
| 2000 | 39 |
| 1999 | 43 |
| 1998 | 51 |
| 1997 | 48 |
| 1996 | 49 |
| 1995 | 52 |
| 1994 | 41 |
| 1993 | 64 |
| 1992 | 77 |
| 1991 | 80 |
| 1990 | 73 |
| 1989 | 81 |
| 1988 | 83 |
| 1987 | 70 |
| 1986 | 57 |
| 1985 | 44 |
| 1984 | 54 |
| 1983 | 43 |
| 1982 | 44 |
| 1981 | 63 |
| 1980 | 85 |
| 1979 | 76 |
| 1978 | 108 |
| 1977 | 105 |
| 1976 | 109 |
| 1975 | 110 |
| 1974 | 118 |
| 1973 | 128 |
| 1972 | 114 |
| 1971 | 119 |
| 1970 | 119 |
| 1969 | 91 |
| 1968 | 55 |
| 1967 | 32 |
| 1966 | 30 |
| 1965 | 24 |
| 1964 | 27 |
| 1963 | 27 |
| 1962 | 11 |
| 1961 | 11 |
| 1960 | 16 |
| 1959 | 19 |
| 1958 | 17 |
| 1957 | 6 |
| 1956 | 7 |
| 1955 | 8 |
| 1954 | 6 |
| 1953 | 9 |
| 1952 | 6 |
| 1950 | 10 |
| 1948 | 8 |
| 1945 | 5 |
| 1940 | 5 |