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Terrance

♂ Boy

Pronounced TAIR-ents /ˈtɛr.əns/Low

Meaning: From the Terentius clan; smooth, polishedLow

In 30 seconds: Terrance is a variant of Terence/Terrance, from the Roman family name Terentius, possibly meaning smooth or polished. Borne by the great Roman playwright Terence (Publius Terentius Afer), this name carries ancient comic genius.
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Origin LowLatin
MeaningFrom the Terentius clan; smooth, polished
U.S. rank (2024)#1298 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births151 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1988
Total births (all-time)≈ 70,058

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 198818952024

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

History & Origin

Terrance is a variant spelling of Terence/Terrence, from the Latin Terentius, the name of the Roman gens Terentia. The Roman playwright Terence (185-159 BCE) was one of antiquity's greatest comic writers.

Terrance is a popular African American name variant in the United States. Its two-syllable sound and classic Roman heritage make it a distinguished choice.

Did you know? Publius Terentius Afer — known simply as Terence — was a Roman playwright of African origin who wrote some of classical antiquity's finest comedies. His line I am human, and nothing human is alien to me is one of antiquity's most celebrated expressions of universal humanism.
Overall data confidence 90%
Behind the Name: Terence

Variations

TerenceTerrenceTerranceTerencio

Nicknames

TerryTerr

Famous Bearers

  • ★Terence (c. 195-159 BCE)
    Roman playwright (Publius Terentius Afer) of African origin; author of comedies including Andria and The Brothers

If you like Terrance…

Terence— Standard spelling of same name
Kendrick— Two-syllable surname name of same tradition
Darnell— Two-syllable African American name of same generation
Devante— Three-syllable name of same community and era

Frequently Asked

What does Terrance mean?

Terrance comes from the Roman Terentius, possibly meaning smooth or polished.

Who was Terence the playwright?

Terence was a Roman playwright of African origin (185-159 BCE) who wrote fine comedies and said nothing human is alien to me.

How do you pronounce Terrance?

Terrance is pronounced TAIR-ents with two syllables.

What names are similar to Terrance?

Similar names include Terence, Terrence, and Kendrick.