Theran is a modern, unisex given name of recent origin. It was initially coined as an alternative spelling to the more traditional 'Terran', which means 'of the earth' in Latin. The name Theran is believed to have been popularized by science fiction author Anne McCaffrey, who used it in her series "The Dragonriders of Pern". The name has since gained some popularity as a unique and modern choice for parents seeking distinctive names for their children.
The name Theran peaked in popularity between 1979 and 1982 with 11 births each year, before declining to consistently lower numbers since the mid-1980s.