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Home › Baby Names Directory › Thurman

Thurman

♂ Boy

Pronounced THUR-mun /ˈθɜːɹ.mən/High

Meaning: Thurman is an English surname of Old Norse root, generally traced to the personal name Thormund or Thurmond — 'Thor's protection' — carried into England by Scandinavian settlers. Used as a first name in America since the nineteenth century.Medium

In 30 seconds: A surname name with thunder in its roots: Thurman traces to the Norse Thormund, 'Thor's protection' (said 'THUR-mun').
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Origin MediumEnglish, Old Norse
MeaningThurman is an English surname of Old Norse root, generally traced to the personal name Thormund or Thurmond — 'Thor's protection' — carried into England by Scandinavian settlers. Used as a first name in America since the nineteenth century.
U.S. rank (2024)#13994 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1920
Total births (all-time)≈ 16,391

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 192018802024

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

Thurman is an English surname of Old Norse descent, from the personal name Thormund or Thurmond, understood as 'Thor's protection.' Scandinavian settlement in England carried it south, and American families later turned it into a first name — a sturdy, old-fashioned choice with a mythic root (said 'THUR-mun').

It appears only rarely for boys in the U.S. today. Rare, vintage, and surname-style.

Did you know? Behind the tidy English surname Thurman sits the Norse god Thor — the name came into England with Scandinavian settlers as Thormund, 'Thor's protection' (said 'THUR-mun').
Overall data confidence 55%
References — Thurman — English surname from Old Norse Thormund/Thurmond, 'Thor's protection'

Variations

ThurmondThormanTurman

Nicknames

ThurmThor

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Thurman…

Truman— a same-rhythm surname name
Sherman— a like -man ending classic
Thatcher— a matching English surname pick
Harmon— a like vintage surname turned first name

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Thurman mean?

Thurman is an English surname of Old Norse root, from the name Thormund, understood as 'Thor's protection.'

How do you pronounce Thurman?

It's said THUR-mun /ˈθɜːɹ.mən/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Thurman a boy or girl name?

Thurman is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Thurman?

Thurman is a rare name for boys in the U.S.

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