Terrence
Boy name · #1587 in 2025 · Very rare
How old is the name Terrence? In official American birth records, Terrence has been tracked continuously since 1886, giving it 139 years of documented American history.
Terrence ranks #1587 among American boys' names as of 2025, with 107 newborns given the name that year. A decade ago it stood at #812, so the name has been falling over the past ten years. Roughly one in every 16,822 boys born in 2025 was named Terrence.
Babies named Terrence per year. Source: Official national birth records.
The 139-year story
Terrence first appears in the Social Security records in 1886, when 10 boys received the name. Its peak came in 1955, when 1,497 boys were named Terrence — good for #181 that year. Today's parents encounter it as a name from their grandparents’ generation, which is precisely the vintage window from which names get revived. Following the curve matters more than today's snapshot: a name's position on its rise-peak-decline arc is the best predictor of how common it will feel in a kindergarten class five years from now.
Unlock the 5-year forecast and compare Terrence against up to 5 other names.
Uniqueness: will there be another Terrence in class?
On our rarity read — which blends how common Terrence is today with its five-year momentum — the name reads as "very rare". Rare names trade instant recognition for memorability; Terrence sits firmly on that end of the spectrum.
Where Terrence is most common
Geography matters for names, and Terrence is no exception. Adjusted for how many boys are born in each state, Terrence is most common in NY (0.1 per 1,000), FL (0.1 per 1,000), TX (0.1 per 1,000), CA (0.1 per 1,000) — against a national average of about 0.1 per 1,000 boys. These are per-capita rates, so they show where Terrence is a genuine regional favorite rather than just where the most babies are born.
Names like Terrence
Statistically, parents drawn to Terrence tend to be choosing among names with similar popularity arcs, era profiles, and sounds — the closest matches in our model are Laurence, Terence, Lawrence, Lance, and Vince.
LaurenceTerenceLawrenceLanceVinceJeromeTyroneFreddie
Rank history (last 25 years)
| Year | Babies named Terrence | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 107 | #1585 |
| 2024 | 116 | #1521 |
| 2023 | 134 | #1385 |
| 2022 | 151 | #1278 |
| 2021 | 148 | #1280 |
| 2020 | 173 | #1130 |
| 2019 | 184 | #1085 |
| 2018 | 217 | #954 |
| 2017 | 263 | #841 |
| 2016 | 272 | #834 |
| 2015 | 279 | #812 |
| 2014 | 329 | #728 |
| 2013 | 329 | #715 |
| 2012 | 340 | #695 |
| 2011 | 364 | #642 |
| 2010 | 426 | #588 |
| 2009 | 456 | #578 |
| 2008 | 420 | #598 |
| 2007 | 449 | #572 |
| 2006 | 467 | #542 |
| 2005 | 403 | #578 |
| 2004 | 354 | #603 |
| 2003 | 440 | #528 |
| 2002 | 397 | #560 |
| 2001 | 431 | #520 |
Frequently asked questions
How old is the name Terrence?
In official American birth records, the name Terrence first appeared in 1886 (over 139 years ago), when 10 newborn boys received the name. It has over a century of continuous American history.
Is Terrence a popular boy name?
Terrence ranked #1587 among boys in 2025 with 107 babies given the name — outside the top 500, making it an uncommon pick. Ten years earlier it ranked #812.
When was the name Terrence most popular?
Terrence peaked in 1955, when 1,497 American boys received the name (ranked #181 that year). Since 1955 the name has declined from that high.
How rare is the name Terrence?
In 2025, roughly 1 in 16,822 newborn American boys was named Terrence. On our rarity scale (rarity blended with momentum) we classify it as "very rare".
Data source: Official American birth records, 1880–2025, national and state files. Counts reflect registered birth records for American families.