Declining since 1988, #1,585 for boys today.
Popularity of Terrence since 1886
Babies named Terrence per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1955, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Terrence's real moment was 1970.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 25 |
| 1890s | 59 |
| 1900s | 28 |
| 1910s | 213 |
| 1920s | 584 |
| 1930s | 1,773 |
| 1940s | 7,656 |
| 1950s | 12,833 |
| 1960s | 10,818 |
| 1970s | 11,905 |
| 1980s | 10,665 |
| 1990s | 7,724 |
| 2000s | 4,297 |
| 2010s | 3,003 |
| 2020s | 829 |
Meaning & origin
Terrence has seen a long decline in use since peaking in 1970. In that peak year, it was notably more common, but by 2025 it ranked only 1,585, with approximately 1 in 15,963 boys receiving the name. The trajectory has been falling since 1988, reflecting a broader shift away from this classic Roman-derived name. Historically, Terrence was especially favored in states like New York, Illinois, and Florida, where it saw concentrated popularity during the mid-20th century. While still recognizable, it has been largely supplanted by the similar Terence and Terrance variants.
Terrence is an English variant of the Roman family name Terentius. The name was borne by the Roman playwright Publius Terentius Afer (known as Terence). It came into use in the English-speaking world during the Middle Ages and enjoyed particular popularity in Ireland in the 20th century.
Where Terrence 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.
“Terrence” around the world
Where Terrence lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
10
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Terry, T
Sibling names for Terrence
Names that share Terrence's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Laurel, Monica, Patricia, Cynthia, Renee, Latonya, Deandra, Laquita, Latanya, Latricia, Letisha, Sharlene, Sharonda, Janiece, Kalisha, Ladawn, Laquisha, Lashae, Latesha, Markia, Marquetta, Rashonda, Reginia, Shalanda, Shantelle, Shawanda, Shawanna, Shenika, Sherita, Taneisha, Taunya, Temeka, Tonisha, Twanna, Tynesha, Tynisha, Yolonda, Antwanette, Charnae, Chauntel, Deangela, Dejanae, Dericka, Gerianne, Jameshia, Jonique, Jovonna, Keneisha, Lacrecia, Lafonda, Lakeitha, Laquana, Laqueta, Laquitta, Lashell, Latisa, Latishia, Latora, Latorya, Latrecia, Latrenda, Latresha, Lavette, Lekisha, Letrice, Marchell, Markisha, Marquia, Nakeia, Nakeshia, Nyeisha, Porcha, Ronesha, Roshunda, Shadonna, Sharanda, Shareese, Shavonda, Shelita, Shenelle, Sherrita, Shirelle, Shondra, Shunda, Syretta, Tameshia, Terena, Terrianna, Terrika, Terrina, Terryn, Teryl, Teshia, Tonika, Toyia, Carmesha, Charnice, Dalaysia, Demetrica, Denecia, Deneshia, Deshana, Detrice, Diahann, Flecia, Janeece, Jaquisha, Kennethia, Kerryann, Lacole, Laketha, Laresha, Lenisha, Marshayla, Maurisha, Nakeesha, Nickia, Patrece, Quintasia, Rashunda, Reshonda, Shacoya, Shakendra, Shakisha, Shalandra, Shamaine, Shandrea, Shandrika, Shanece, Shanekia, Shanicka, Shantea, Sharea, Shareena, Sharetta, Shateria, Shatika, Shaunice, Shauntell, Shelonda, Shenice, Sherece, Shereese, Sheritta, Sherline, Takira, Taleisha, Tamla, Tangelia, Taralee, Tarnisha, Tekesha, Terricka, Terrisa, Tikisha, Tishana, Tomeika, Tonesha, Tyese, Tymeka, Undrea, Vanesha, Charnetta, Diesha, Merrissa, Rakisha, Shannette, Sherrica, Sherrika, Tiwanda, Toneka, Aniesha, Arneshia, Cameshia, Carlicia, Carnisha, Chalene, Chalonda, Chaniece, Chardai, Charmagne, Charmeka, Charrise, Cheronda, Cosandra, Danaysia, Deshanda, Dezhane, Fantashia, Farra, Felesha, Geneen, Glenisha, Jakita, Janequa, Janeshia, Jaquesha, Joneisha, Jowanda, Katrese, Kenyonna, Kimetha, Lacreasha, Lakeidra, Lameshia, Lashannon, Laterria, Latiesha, Latondra, Lechelle, Marchele, Marshea, Naquisha, Onesha, Otisha, Patrese, Philisha, Phylisha, Quanika, Quinetta, Rakesha, Ranetta, Rayneisha, Reeshemah, Ronnisha, Shakea, Shakeeta, Shakesha, Shaquia, Sharesa, Sharnetta, Sharronda, Shaterria, Shatonia, Shelanda, Sherhonda, Sheronica, Shewanda, Shunte, Shuntel, Synethia, Takelia, Tamecka, Tamirra, Tanieka, Tanique, Tarshia, Tasheena, Tashica, Tekeisha, Telesha, Temesha, Teresha, Terisha, Terrisha, Terriyah, Terryann, Traniya, Tremeka, Trenika, Tymika, Tyronza, Vanecia, Vernesha
Brothers: Reginald, Raymond, Dennis, Maurice, Gerald, Darnell, Demond, Jermaine, Dontay, Jermel, Rashaud, Sharod, Shedrick, Terryl, Tramaine, Trayvon, Tremayne, Antavious, Antwane, Cheron, Damar, Darnel, Demetrick, Jermane, Jermichael, Lasean, Rashun, Tarence, Tarrance, Tyronne, Artavius, Darvell, Delshawn, Kentavius, Lanard, Laterrance, Levonte, Lonell, Martice, Travious, Tremel, Tyray, Tyrease, Jarmel, Anterrio, Artrell, Deamonte, Delawrence, Devaris, Hilery, Jamorris, Jemaine, Jermine, Jernard, Marqueze, Sederick, Traevion, Tyress
Names like Terrence
Names whose popularity has moved with Terrence's over the last 50 years.
