Terrell is a name of African American origin, derived from the city of Terre Haute in Indiana, USA. The name means "high land" or "lofty land," reflecting its geographical location.
The history of the name Terrell can be traced back to the early 20th century when it first began to appear as a given name. However, it is important to note that the name was previously used as a surname in England, where it is believed to have originated from Old English words meaning "from the high hill."
Today, Terrell is primarily used as a male given name in the United States and other countries with significant African American populations. Despite its relatively recent origins as a first name, Terrell has become popular in its own right, with notable figures such as NFL player Terrell Owens and musician Terrell Hines helping to solidify its place in modern culture.
The name Terrell has seen a varied history of popularity in the United States over the past century, with notable fluctuations in its usage.
In the early 20th century, Terrell was not a particularly popular name, with fewer than 10 births per year between 1900 and 1934. However, beginning in the late 1930s, there was a significant increase in the number of newborn boys being named Terrell, reaching a peak of 187 births in 1946.
This trend continued into the 1950s and 1960s, with Terrell remaining a popular choice for parents. The name reached its zenith in 1967, with 327 newborn boys being named Terrell, marking the highest point of popularity for this name in U.S. history.
The 1970s and 1980s saw another wave of popularity for Terrell, with the number of births peaking at 983 in 1989. However, the following decade saw a decline in its usage, with fewer than 600 births per year between 1990 and 2000.
In more recent years, Terrell has continued to maintain some level of popularity, though it is no longer among the top names for newborn boys. Between 2000 and 2022, the number of births ranged from a high of 531 in 2001 to a low of 106 in 2023.
In total, over the past century, there have been 36,261 newborn boys named Terrell in the United States. Despite fluctuations in its popularity, this name has managed to maintain some level of consistent usage throughout history.