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Home › Baby Names Directory › Terence

Terence

♂ Boy

Pronounced TEHR-uhns /ˈtɛɹ.əns/Medium

Meaning: InstigatorMedium

In 30 seconds: Terence is a boy's name from a Roman family name, given the sense 'instigator'.
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Origin MediumRoman family, English
MeaningInstigator
U.S. rank (2025)#2753 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births47 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1964
Total births (all-time)≈ 34,290

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 196418852025

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

Terence comes from a Roman family name and is recorded here with the meaning 'instigator'. The Latin root Terentius lies behind it, and the name has stayed in steady use, carried by actors like Terence Stamp (1938–2025) and Terence Hill (born 1939).

Its spelling splits several ways, from Terrance and Terrence to Terance, while the Finnish Tero trims it right down.

Did you know? The meaning usually attached to Terence is 'instigator', and that core idea is what gives the name most of its long-term appeal.
Overall data confidence 78%
Behind the Name - Terence — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

TeranceTerranceTerrenceTerentiusTero

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

  • ★Terence Stamp (1938–2025)
    Male public figure listed on Behind the Name.
  • ★Terence Hill (1939–present)
    Male public figure listed on Behind the Name.

If you like Terence…

Terrence— A common variant spelling of Terence.
Terrance— A frequent variant spelling sharing the same root.
Clarence— lands in the same popularity range
Cadence— lands in the same popularity range
Kadence— a similarly popular pick

Explore names like Terence

By themeenglishnature

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Terence mean?

Terence is usually explained as meaning 'instigator' and is most often linked with Roman family tradition.

How do you pronounce Terence?

It's commonly said TEHR-uhns /ˈtɛɹ.əns/.

Is Terence a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Terence is used as a boy name.

How popular is Terence?

In 2024, Terence ranked #2933 in the U.S. for boys, with 43 births recorded.

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