Given name & surname
Terrence
“learned”·“instigator”·“from an ancient Roman clan”
In English use, Terrence is a variant of Terence. Interpretations include “learned” (Latin), “instigator” (Latin), and “from an ancient Roman clan” (Latin). These may reflect different naming traditions.
Meaning & origin
What it means
In English use, Terrence is a variant of Terence. Interpretations include “learned” (Latin), “instigator” (Latin), and “from an ancient Roman clan” (Latin). These may reflect different naming traditions.
Explained through its name family
Where it comes from
In English use, Terrence is a variant of Terence. A possible origin is Latin, although the derivation remains uncertain.
Explained through its name family
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1886. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin. In English use, Terrence is a variant of Terence. The history of Terence gives this family its wider story. Terence’s historical associations include the Roman playwright Marcus Terentius Afer, and later various early Christian saints.
Combines direct and name-family evidence
Terrence through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 72,939
- 72,412 boys · 527 girls
- Most popular year
- 1955
- 1,508 babies
- 2025
- 107
- #1,600 for boys
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- −41%
- Cooling
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 107 U.S. birth records for boys, ranking No. 1,600 among boys’ names. Average annual use for boys was 40.8% lower in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for boys was 1,497 in 1955. In 2025, Florida and New York and Texas shared the largest reported state-level birth count for boys with this name (11 each). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 51,590 as a first name in 2020; 165 as a surname in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Terrence’s family of names
In English usage, Terrence has a later derivative in Terence. In English usage, Terrence has a related form in Terence.
Inner ring: spellings · middle: nicknames and forms · outer: across languages.
Nicknames & forms 3
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Spellings & scripts 1
The same name written differently, including transliterations into other scripts.
Across languages 4
Equivalents and cognates in other languages, plus older forms it grew from.
People named Terrence
- Terry GilliamAmerican born-British filmmaker, comedian, and actor (born 1940)
- Steve McQueenAmerican actor (1930-1980)
- Terrence MalickAmerican film director and screenwriter (born 1943)
- Terrence HowardAmerican actor (born 1969)
- Pusha TAmerican rapper (born 1977)
- Terrence TrammellAmerican hurdlerborn 1978
- Terry A. DavisAmerican computer programmer (1969-2018)
- Terrence McNallyAmerican playwright (1938–2020)
- Terrence JonesAmerican basketball player (born 1992)
Characters named Terrence: Terrence Steadman (fictional character).
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Terrence, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Laurence
“crowned with laurel; from the laurel tree” · “man from Laurentum; crowned with laurel”
95% boys · 5% girls
Lawrence
“man from Laurentum; crowned with laurel”
99% boys · 1% girls
Ted
“a gift from God” · “having heart”
>99% boys
Jerome
“of the sacred name”
>99% boys
Eddy
“a wealthy protector” · “one who is wealthy in friendship”
94% boys · 6% girls
Elvis
“one who is wise”
>99% boys
Teddy
“a gift from God” · “God”
83% boys · 17% girls
Ernie
“one who is sincere and determined; serious”
>99% boys