What Does the Name Terrence Mean?
Terrence is a boy's name of Latin origin meaning “derived from the Roman family name Terentius (uncertain meaning).”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Terrence |
|---|---|
| Gender | male |
| Origin | Latin |
| Meaning | derived from the Roman family name Terentius (uncertain meaning) |
| Variants | Terence, Terrance, Terance, Terrell |
| Popularity | Most popular in the United States, especially among African American families through the mid-to-late 20th century. |
The meaning and origin of Terrence
The name Terrence means “derived from the Roman family name Terentius (uncertain meaning)” and has Latin origins. An English form of the Latin family name Terentius, borne by the Roman playwright Terence. The original meaning of Terentius is uncertain; it may relate to Latin 'terere' (to rub, thresh).
Variants and related names
Terrence is related to several other names you may recognize: Terence, Terrance, Terance, Terrell. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Terrence?
Most popular in the United States, especially among African American families through the mid-to-late 20th century.
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Terrence mean?+
The name Terrence means “derived from the Roman family name Terentius (uncertain meaning)” and is of Latin origin.
What is the origin of the name Terrence?+
Terrence originates from Latin.
Is Terrence a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Terrence has trended in the US over time.
Terrence by gender
More boy's names
Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press