Declining since 2000, #6,803 for boys today.
Popularity of Tor since 1949
Babies named Tor per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1940s | 5 |
| 1950s | 49 |
| 1960s | 150 |
| 1970s | 146 |
| 1980s | 88 |
| 1990s | 118 |
| 2000s | 143 |
| 2010s | 130 |
| 2020s | 57 |
Meaning & origin
Tor is a concise and powerful name with deep roots in Norse mythology, directly linked to the thunder god Thor. Since first appearing in U.S. records in 1949, it has maintained a niche presence. Its peak year of usage was 1965, after which it has steadily declined in popularity. As of 2025, it ranks 6803, with only about 1 in 142,340 boys receiving the name. While never common in the United States, Tor has remained a steady Scandinavian classic, particularly in Norway and Sweden. Its modern revival as part of the broader interest in mythological and short, strong names has been modest, but it retains a distinctive and rugged appeal.
Tor is a Scandinavian short form of names beginning with Thor-, such as Thorvald or Thorbjörn, and also used independently. It derives from Old Norse Þórr, the name of the thunder god in Norse mythology (cognate with Old English Þunor). The name has been in use in Scandinavia and Iceland for centuries, historically as a theophoric element. In modern times, it is also a standalone given name, popular in Norway and Sweden.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Thor
Sibling names for Tor
Names that share Tor's style, for a brother or sister.
