Temple, derived from the Latin word 'templum', which means "a covered place," is a unisex given name of English origin. It has been used as both a first name and a surname for centuries. The name Temple gained significant popularity in the 20th century, particularly among families with a religious or spiritual focus due to its connection to temples, places of worship. It has also been associated with prominent figures such as American politician, Thomas Temple Hoar, and British actor, Temple Howard. In literature, it appears in works like "Temple Drake" by William Faulkner's novel "Sanctuary." The name Temple is often associated with elegance, refinement, and tranquility, reflecting its connection to temples and places of peaceful contemplation.
The name Temple has seen varying popularity over the years, with a noticeable spike starting from 1961 onwards. Between 1884 and 1960, there were fewer than 30 births per year on average, with several years seeing only a handful of births or none at all. However, beginning in 1961, the number of annual births with the name Temple began to rise significantly, reaching a peak of 68 births in 1969. This trend continued through much of the 1970s and 1980s, with an average of around 25-30 births per year.
Since the late 1980s, the popularity of the name Temple has fluctuated but generally decreased. There were periods in the 1990s and early 2000s where the number of births dropped below 10 per year. However, it experienced a resurgence in recent years, with over 15 births each year from 2017 to 2022.
In total, there have been 1,548 recorded births with the name Temple between 1884 and 2022.