Terence

Pronunciation: [ t-EHR-uhns ]

Boy Name #2,926 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

A Roman playwright's name with timeless humanist gravitas

English Irish American

Classic Strong Traditional Vintage

Meaning & Origin

"smooth, tender"

Origin: Latin/Oscan

Language: English

"from the Roman Gens Terentia"

Origin: Latin

Language: Latin

The Story of Terence

Terence derives from the Roman family name Terentius, possibly from the Oscan word for smooth or tender. The name was borne by the great Roman playwright Publius Terentius Afer, known as Terence, who flourished in the 2nd century BC. His refined comedies influenced Western theatre for 2,000 years.

Terence peaked in the English-speaking world in the mid-20th century, particularly popular in the 1950s-70s. It is now considered a classic that sounds dated to many, though it retains a distinguished intellectual quality.

The Roman playwright Terence wrote the famous line I am human, I consider nothing human alien to me — one of the most quoted expressions of universal humanist philosophy. The name carries remarkable intellectual gravitas.

Fun Facts

Terence the playwright was born a slave in North Africa and became one of Rome's greatest writers
His phrase about human kinship is one of the most quoted in Western philosophy
Terence Howard and Terence Stamp are notable modern bearers of the name

Terence in Other Languages

Irish Toireadhach

Latin Terentius

French Terence

Italian Terenzio

Spanish Terencio

Famous People Named Terence

Terence Howard

Actor

1969

American actor known for Hustle and Flow, Iron Man, and Empire

Terence Stamp

Actor

1938

British actor known for Billy Budd, The Limey, and Superman II

Terence (Publius Terentius Afer)

Writer

Roman playwright of North African origin, 2nd century BC, whose comedies profoundly influenced Western drama

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #2,926
Total SSA Count: 43
Cultural Origins: English Irish American
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Formal
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Common Nicknames

Terry Tez

Pairs Well With

Terence James Terence Patrick Terence Michael Terence William Terence Joseph Terence Anthony Terence Edward

Sibling Names

Lawrence Colin Brendan Maureen Patricia Gerard Sheila

Also a Girl Name

Terence is also used as a girl name, ranked #23193.

View Terence as a girl name →

Similar Names

Florence Prudence Patience Clarence Lorenzo Laurence Lars Terrell

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Frequently Asked Questions About Terence

What does the name Terence mean?

"smooth, tender" (from Latin/Oscan). "from the Roman Gens Terentia" (from Latin). Terence derives from the Roman family name Terentius, possibly from the Oscan word for smooth or tender. The name was borne by the great Roman playwright Publius Terentius Afer, known as Terence, who flourished in the 2nd century BC. His refined comedies influenced Western theatre for 2,000 years.

What is the origin of the name Terence?

Terence has Latin/Oscan, Latin, English, Irish, and American origins. In Latin/Oscan, it means "smooth, tender". In Latin, it means "from the Roman Gens Terentia".

Is Terence a boy or girl name?

Terence is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #2926. As a girl name, it is ranked #23193. Terence is more commonly used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Terence?

Terence is pronounced t-EHR-uhns.

How popular is the name Terence?

Terence is currently ranked #2926 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Terence?

Common nicknames for Terence include Terry and Tez.

What are good middle names for Terence?

Popular middle name pairings include Terence James, Terence Patrick, Terence Michael, Terence William, Terence Joseph, Terence Anthony, and Terence Edward.

What are good sibling names for Terence?

Names that pair well with Terence as siblings include Lawrence, Colin, Brendan, Maureen, Patricia, Gerard, and Sheila.

How many syllables does Terence have?

Terence has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Terence a common or rare name?

Terence is an uncommon name, ranked #2926 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Terence

Terence is a boy name with English, Irish, and American origins . The name means "smooth, tender" in Latin/Oscan .

Is Terence a boy or girl name? Terence is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #2,926 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #23,193. Terence is more commonly used as a boy name.

Terence is currently ranked #2,926 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Terence has 2 syllables and is pronounced t-EHR-uhns, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Terence include Terry and Tez. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.