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Home › Baby Names Directory › Temple

Temple

♀ Girl

Pronounced TEM-pul /ˈtɛm.pəl/High

Meaning: From the word/surname Temple — 'one who lives or works near a temple' (from the Latin templum, 'a sacred place'); used for both sexes; we note the senseLow

In 30 seconds: One who lives near a temple: Temple is a surname-name. Crisp, modern, and warm. Used for both sexes.
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Origin LowEnglish, Latin
MeaningFrom the word/surname Temple — 'one who lives or works near a temple' (from the Latin templum, 'a sacred place'); used for both sexes; we note the sense
U.S. rank (2024)#9467 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births11 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1971
Total births (all-time)≈ 1,559

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 197118842024

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Temple comes from the word/surname Temple — 'one who lives or works near a temple' (from the Latin templum, 'a sacred place'); used for both sexes (we note the sense). A crisp, modern name (here for a girl; slug distinguished; said 'TEM-pul').

In the U.S. it appears as a surname-style given name (Shirley Temple made it familiar). Rare as a first name, near-a-temple at the root, and crisp.

Did you know? Temple means 'one who lives or works near a temple' (from the Latin templum, 'a sacred place') — a crisp, distinctive name used for both sexes (we note the sense; said 'TEM-pul').
Overall data confidence 32%
References — Temple — surname-name; unisex

Variations

TemplaTempleton

Nicknames

Tem

Famous Bearers

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If you like Temple…

Temperance— a sound-adjacent virtue/place girls name
Haven— a companion place word-name
Noble— shares the -le ending
Carlisle— another surname-name pick
Haile— shares Temple's English roots

Explore names like Temple

By themeenglishlatinunisexsurname-name

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Temple mean?

Temple is a surname — 'one who lives or works near a temple' (from the Latin templum); used for both sexes; here for a girl. We note the sense.

How do you pronounce Temple?

It's said TEM-pul /ˈtɛm.pəl/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Temple a boy or girl name?

Temple is used for both sexes; this page covers its use as a girl's name.

How popular is Temple?

Temple is a very rare name in the U.S.

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