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At a Glance: Name: Terrence – Origin: Latin (Roman family name Terentius, variant of Terence) – Gender: used for both boys and girls
Terrence traces back to Terentius, a Roman family name and a variant of Terence. You may have heard that it means "tender" or "smooth," but that claim doesn't hold up to scrutiny — no scholarly source backs it, and the true origin of Terentius is actually uncertain and disputed. If you're drawn to a name with real Roman roots, this is one to consider on its history alone.
Meaning & Origin of Terrence
Origin: Latin (Roman family name Terentius, variant of Terence).
A common claim: often said to mean 'tender' or 'smooth' (linked to Latin tener) Actually: No scholarly source confirms this; Terentius's true etymology is uncertain and disputed, not securely derived from tener ('tender').
Source: Wiktionary.
Popularity of Terrence
Terrence peaked in 1950, when 1,267 baby boys were given the name and it ranked #176 nationally. By 2024 it had fallen to #1524, with just 116 babies given the name that year.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration birth-name data, 1886–2024.
Make Terrence Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Terrence, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
Names With a Similar Story
Derived from shared style, era, and origin data (or, for names we have no style data for, a similar Social Security popularity trajectory) — not a hand-picked list.
FAQ
What does the name Terrence mean?
often said to mean ‘tender’ or ‘smooth’ (linked to Latin tener) No scholarly source confirms this; Terentius’s true etymology is uncertain and disputed, not securely derived from tener (‘tender’).
Is Terrence a popular name right now?
Terrence peaked at #176 in 1950 and is ranked #1524 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1886–2024.)
📊 How popular is Terrence? See the full popularity history, trend data, and ranking since 1880 with our free Baby Name Popularity Checker.
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