Holding steady.
Popularity of Teryl since 1939
Babies named Teryl per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1956, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Teryl's real moment was 1945.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1930s | 5 | 0 |
| 1940s | 147 | 29 |
| 1950s | 285 | 74 |
| 1960s | 217 | 71 |
| 1970s | 73 | 40 |
| 1980s | 42 | 30 |
| 1990s | 10 | 19 |
| 2000s | 0 | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Teryl is a rare unisex name that first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1939. Its peak year was 1945, during which it saw its highest usage, though it has never been a common name. According to Social Security data, the name has shown a stable trajectory in recent decades, with very few births per year. Notably, Teryl has not been recorded in any top state databases, indicating its scattered use across small numbers. As a variant of Terrell, it shares roots with the powerful Germanic name Theodoric, meaning "ruler of the people," but its modern spelling likely emerged as a feminine adaptation in the mid-20th century. Parents considering Teryl today may appreciate its rarity and vintage feel without the burden of popularity.
Teryl is likely a variant of the surname Terrell, which itself derives from the Old French given name Thierry, ultimately from Theodoric, a Germanic name meaning "ruler of the people." The spelling Teryl may also be a modern coinage influenced by names like Cheryl or Meryl. It has been used in the United States since at least the 1930s, primarily as a female name.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Terry, Tery
Sibling names for Teryl
Names that share Teryl's style, for a brother or sister.
