Declining since 1990, #6,838 for girls today.
Popularity of Tempest since 1915
Babies named Tempest per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 10 |
| 1920s | 10 |
| 1930s | 5 |
| 1940s | 6 |
| 1950s | 11 |
| 1960s | 76 |
| 1970s | 28 |
| 1980s | 286 |
| 1990s | 402 |
| 2000s | 187 |
| 2010s | 212 |
| 2020s | 89 |
Meaning & origin
Tempest first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1915, but its usage remained extremely rare for decades. The name reached its peak rank of 6,838 in 1990, coinciding with a broader trend of nature-inspired and dramatic word names. Since then, its popularity has been falling, with just 1 in 100,454 newborn girls receiving the name in 2025. The name's literary resonance, particularly through Shakespeare's 'The Tempest,' gives it a timeless yet bold quality. Although not concentrated in any particular state, Tempest appeals to parents seeking a name that evokes both natural force and artistic depth. Its rarity ensures that it remains distinctive, while its strong sound and clear meaning make it immediately memorable.
Tempest derives directly from the English vocabulary word meaning 'a violent storm.' It entered use as a given name in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, part of a broader trend of adopting evocative word names. Its literary associations with Shakespeare's play 'The Tempest' (c. 1611) have given it a dramatic and artistic undertone, though direct naming after the play is not always the intent.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Tem, Tempy, Essie
Sibling names for Tempest
Names that share Tempest's style, for a brother or sister.
