Credence

Meaning & origin

Credence emerged as a given name in the 2010s, with its first recorded use in 2013. It has been rising in popularity since 2015, reaching a peak rank in 2022. The name is likely influenced by the character Credence Barebone from the Fantastic Beasts film series, which premiered in 2016. Despite this connection, Credence remains exceptionally uncommon, appearing just once for every 113,872 births in 2025. Its similarity to the more established name 'Creed' (from the Latin 'credo' meaning 'I believe') and its meaning of 'trust' align it with a set of virtue names that have seen renewed interest. The name has not yet recorded notable usage in any specific U.S. state. As a modern coinage, Credence lacks deep historical roots, but its literary and cultural associations give it a contemporary, distinctive appeal.

Credence first appeared as a given name in the United States around 2013, coinciding with its appearance as the name of a character in a popular film series (Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, 2016). It is derived directly from the English word 'credence', meaning 'belief' or 'trust', which itself comes from Latin 'credentia'. The name gained modest attention as part of the trend toward virtue-style names, though its use remains rare.