Declining since 1988, #1,529 for boys today.
Popularity of Terrell since 1885
Babies named Terrell per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 5 |
| 1890s | 5 |
| 1900s | 49 |
| 1910s | 244 |
| 1920s | 403 |
| 1930s | 572 |
| 1940s | 1,517 |
| 1950s | 2,044 |
| 1960s | 2,559 |
| 1970s | 4,434 |
| 1980s | 7,916 |
| 1990s | 7,924 |
| 2000s | 5,141 |
| 2010s | 2,836 |
| 2020s | 853 |
Meaning & origin
Terrell is a given name that emerged from an English surname, reflecting a pattern of surname-to-first-name adoption in the United States. The name first appeared in U.S. records in 1885, but its peak of popularity came in 1989, when it ranked highest among boys. Since 1988, however, its usage has been steadily declining. In 2025, Terrell placed 1529th in the national rankings, with a frequency of 1 in 15,116 newborns. The name has been especially common in Louisiana, Michigan, and Alabama, where it has seen higher usage compared to other states. Terrell's trajectory suggests a name that was particularly favored during the late 20th century but has since fallen out of frequent use.
Terrell is an English surname that was adopted as a given name. It likely derives from the Old French nickname 'Tirel', meaning 'one who pulls' or a diminutive of 'Thorvaldr', an Old Norse name composed of 'Thor' (thunder god) and 'valdr' (ruler). The surname was established in England after the Norman Conquest and later transitioned to a first name in the United States, especially among African American families in the 20th century.
Where Terrell is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Terry, T
Sibling names for Terrell
Names that share Terrell's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Deja, Imani, Keisha, Latoya, Shanice, Keosha, Lakeisha, Latasha, Latisha, Shantel, Sheronda, Tamia, Jamesha, Kanisha, Lachelle, Lakayla, Lakiesha, Lakisha, Lakita, Lamonica, Laronda, Lashaunda, Lashawna, Lashawnda, Lashunda, Latrisha, Natosha, Shaniece, Sharell, Sharhonda, Takisha, Talisha, Tenesha, Aneisha, Carlisha, Dawana, Denesha, Jaquana, Keasha, Lachandra, Lacresha, Lakishia, Lashonna, Latonja, Latrica, Lekesha, Lorelle, Myeisha, Natoya, Roshanda, Shadae, Shakeya, Shakita, Shameika, Shanteria, Shantrell, Shantrice, Shaquanna, Shaquila, Shareka, Sharrell, Shatoya, Shauntae, Shauntay, Shawntay, Shawntell, Shenell, Shontel, Takeisha, Takeya, Talesha, Tameeka, Tameisha, Tamicka, Taniesha, Tashana, Tashawna, Teasha, Tyneshia, Tyronda, Akeisha, Chaniqua, Cherika, Dameka, Daniqua, Dashana, Deshonda, Donnesha, Jamella, Kalesha, Keyosha, Kyisha, Ladonya, Laquanta, Lasaundra, Lashante, Latausha, Letasha, Mikesha, Natonya, Nekesha, Rakeisha, Raynesha, Roshawnda, Shamecca, Shanisha, Shantele, Shantella, Shaquasia, Shaquitta, Sharnae, Shauntia, Shawnita, Tamikia, Tanesia, Tekisha, Tiwanna, Tranisha, Tyeesha, Tykeisha, Latesa, Latesia, Leshay, Rodneisha, Shanetra, Takiesha, Tasheba, Tyreka, Antwonette, Arlisha, Chakia, Cornesha, Darnise, Deondrea, Deshonna, Jachelle, Jatoya, Jermeka, Keshonda, Kimyatta, Kyeshia, Labresha, Lakeishia, Laketta, Laneshia, Laporcha, Laquida, Laquinda, Lashane, Latoiya, Leshonda, Markala, Marnisha, Nekeshia, Rashawnda, Rickesha, Ricquel, Ronniesha, Shakeita, Shalondra, Shamera, Shanetha, Shanquita, Shantice, Sharicka, Shernita, Sherrelle, Shinita, Shondrea, Shonita, Shontia, Takiera, Taleshia, Talonda, Tameaka, Tanashia, Tanishia, Tasheika, Tekeshia, Temisha, Teondra, Timisha, Tomicka, Toneisha, Trameka, Tuwana
Brothers: Darnell, Jamar, Kendrick, Malik, Tyrell, Derrell, Donte, Cardell, Durrell, Lajuan, Montrell, Antjuan, Antwuan, Chavis, Dajour, Darnelle, Darriel, Dmario, Donnelle, Jermal, Jorell, Lemarcus, Montrel, Pharrell, Shamel, Shondell, Tarrence, Tramell, Antwoin, Decari, Denorris, Dishawn, Dontell, Donzel, Jarelle, Johntavious, Lamorris, Quintarius, Shamarr, Shamell, Sharrod, Terrez, Avantae, Cordarrius, Cordarro, Delquan, Dyrell, Jerral, Kawon, Laquinton, Shawntez, Tasheem, Tynell
Names like Terrell
Names whose popularity has moved with Terrell's over the last 50 years.
