Tru Unisex

Popularity: #518 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: troo //truː//

Origin: English; Latin

Meaning: English: true; Latin: faithful

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Tru is derived from the English word "true," which has its roots in the Old English term "triewe," meaning faithful or loyal. This term can be traced back further to the Proto-Germanic root "*treuwaz," which also conveys the sense of fidelity and reliability.

The evolution of the name reflects a linguistic journey through various forms, including Middle English "trewe," before solidifying into the modern spelling of "true" in contemporary English. The transition into a given name, particularly as Tru, likely stems from a trend in the 20th century to adopt names that convey positive attributes or virtues.

Historically, the concept of truth has been significant across various cultures and religions. In Christian contexts, truth is often associated with divine attributes, as seen in biblical texts where Jesus refers to himself as "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6).

This association with moral integrity and authenticity has contributed to the name's resonance as a symbol of virtue. While Tru itself may not have notable historical figures directly associated with it, the underlying concept of truth has been a recurring theme in literature and philosophy throughout the ages, influencing the perception of names derived from it.

Culturally, names that signify truth or fidelity have been valued in many societies, often reflecting ideals of honesty and trustworthiness. The name Tru, while relatively modern in its usage as a standalone name, embodies these enduring qualities.

Its simplicity and direct connection to a fundamental human value have allowed it to find a place in contemporary naming practices, resonating with parents who wish to convey a sense of integrity and authenticity in their child's name.

Fictional characters named Tru

The following list of fictional characters named Tru 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.

Tru Davies is a fictional character from the TV series Tru Calling. She is a medical student who has the ability to relive the same day to prevent deaths.

Sibling suggestions

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

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Tru was first seen in the United States in 1995.

Tru has ranked as high as #840 nationally, which occurred in 2024, and has been most popular in Texas, California, Georgia, Florida, and Louisiana.

In the past 5 years the name Tru has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Tru 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 Tru 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 Tru.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 758 496 262
2024 767 465 302
2023 676 408 268
2022 716 429 287
2021 613 392 221
2020 431 286 145
2019 350 235 115
2018 243 171 72
2017 152 107 45
2016 112 81 31
2015 121 72 49
2014 111 72 39
2013 104 68 36
2012 110 64 46
2011 95 42 53
2010 134 71 63
2009 128 52 76
2008 84 44 40
2007 79 29 50
2006 93 29 64
2005 130 32 98
2004 158 32 126
2003 35 21 14
2002 22 13 9
2001 21 15 6
2000 21 21 0
1999 13 13 0
1998 14 8 6
1997 10 10 0
1996 7 7 0
1995 16 9 7

Top States for Tru (2024)

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
TX 90
13%
GA 72
10%
FL 56
8%
LA 45
7%
CA 37
5%
OH 30
4%
AL 30
4%
PA 27
4%
IL 26
4%
MO 25
4%
NC 25
4%
NY 24
3%
MI 24
3%
MD 24
3%
TN 23
3%
MS 19
3%
VA 16
2%
OK 15
2%
IN 14
2%
SC 14
2%
NJ 13
2%
AR 10
1%
AZ 7
1%
KY 7
1%
WI 7
1%
NV 6
1%
CT 5
1%