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Home › Baby Names Directory › Terrance

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 (2025)#1570 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births109 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1988
Total births (all-time)≈ 70,167

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 198818952025

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

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

Explore names like Terrance

By themelatinclassictwo-syllableafrican-americanroman

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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.

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