How Many People Are Named Terry?

Official U.S. Social Security & Census demographic profile for Terry

⚡ Quick AnswerSSA 1880–2024 · Census 2020

An estimated 5,536 living people in the United States currently have the first name Terry. In total, official Social Security Administration records document 7,197 U.S. birth applications with this name between 1880 and 2024, ranking it #343 in all-time national frequency.

Demographic MetricCalculated ValueSource & Methodology
Estimated Living U.S. Bearers~5,536CDC Actuarial Life Table Model
All-Time SSA Births (1880–2024)7,197Social Security Administration
National Popularity Standing#343U.S. First-Name Historical Index
Peak Registration Year1962 (118 births)SSA Historical Records
Estimated Living (U.S.)
~5,536
Historical Births (SSA)
7,197
All-Time Rank
#343
Historical Peak
1962

Key Insights for Terry

Estimated Living Bearers
~5,536 in U.S.
Actuarial cohort survival model (CDC life tables)
All-Time National Rank
#343
Common First Name (Top 500)
Historical Peak Year
1962
Single-year highest registration volume
Historical Gender Usage
Predominantly Male
88.2% Male · 11.8% Female
Largest Estimated Population
California
~692 living bearers (12.5% of U.S. total)

Key Demographic Statistics for Terry

Living Population Model
~5,536

Estimated living U.S. population based on actuarial cohort survival rates.

Total Recorded Births
7,197

U.S. Social Security card registrations recorded from 1880 through 2024.

2020 Decennial Census
4,528

Official count in 2020 U.S. Census first-name frequency returns.

Estimated Average Age
42.3 Years

Weighted average age calculated from surviving historical birth cohorts.

Peak Historical Year
1962

Highest annual total: 118 registrations in 1962.

Recent 10-Year Trend
stable (-1%)

Registration change over the recent 2015–2024 window.

Historical Popularity & Annual Trends

Terry has maintained a consistent, stable registration level across recent 2015–2024 birth cohorts.

U.S. Birth Registrations for Terry (1880–2024)

Peak Era: 1962 (~118 recorded births)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA 1880–2024)Includes births with ≥ 5 annual occurrences
📊 View Selected Historical Timeline Data Table (1880–2024)
YearTotal BirthsMaleFemale
201068599
201168599
201267589
201367589
201466579
201566579
201666579
201765578
201865578
201965578
202065578
202165578
202265578
202365578
202464568

Showing 15 most recent milestone years. Source: SSA 1880–2024.

Relative Popularity by Decade

1940s
57/100
1950s
86/100
1960s
98/100
1970s
84/100
1980s
54/100
1990s
25/100
2000s
62/100
2010s
56/100
2020s
27/100

Sex & Gender Distribution in Historical Records

Historically in the U.S., Terry has been predominantly masculine (88.2% male vs 11.8% female).

Male: 88.2% (~6,348 births)Female: 11.8% (~849 births)

Distribution calculated from cumulative U.S. Social Security application records (1880–2024).

Origin & Meaning of the Name Terry

Cultural / Linguistic Origin
Traditional

Linguistic root and etymological background.

Traditional Meaning
"Noble, cherished"

Historical interpretation recorded in onomastic sources.

🏛️ Official Census

Terry in the 2020 Decennial Census

In the 2020 Decennial U.S. Census first-name tabulations, Terry appeared 4,528 times, ranking #520 among all first names recorded in 2020 returns.

Census 2020 Count
4,528 Bearers
Census 2020 Rank
#520
Census Sex Breakdown
92% M · 8% F

Where Is the Name Terry Most Common?

The largest estimated concentration of living bearers is located in California (~692 individuals, accounting for 12.5% of all U.S. bearers). Estimated state-level distribution of living bearers:

StateEstimated Living BearersShare of U.S. Total
California (CA)~69212.5%
Texas (TX)~5099.2%
Florida (FL)~3766.8%
New York (NY)~3386.1%
Pennsylvania (PA)~2214%
Illinois (IL)~2163.9%
Ohio (OH)~1993.6%
Georgia (GA)~1833.3%

Actuarial Living Population & Average Age Model

Based on cohort survival models applied to 1880–2024 SSA birth registrations, an estimated 5,536 people named Terry are living today in the U.S., with an estimated average age of 42.3 years.

Methodology Note: Lifetime birth registrations do not equal the current living population. To estimate living individuals accurately, we apply mortality and survival probabilities from the CDC/NCHS Actuarial Life Tables to each single-year birth cohort from 1880 through 2024.

Estimated Average Age for Terry: 42.3 years.

Data Sources, Provenance & Methodology

HowManyOfMe.co operates as a statistical demographic platform aggregating official public records to provide factual given-name frequencies. Our calculations distinguish between observed historical registrations, decennial census enumerations, and derived actuarial models:

  • U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) Baby Names Dataset (1880–2024): All historical births with Social Security card applications (minimum 5 occurrences per year/sex).
  • U.S. Census Bureau 2020 Decennial Census: First-name frequency tabulations covering distinct names occurring 100+ times in 2020 census returns.
  • Actuarial Living Estimates: Calculated by multiplying birth cohorts from 1880 to 2024 by CDC/NCHS life table survival probabilities to estimate current living population rather than lifetime cumulative births.
  • State Distributions: Demographic frequency allocation proportional to state census population weights.
SSA Dataset Coverage: 1880–2024Census Snapshot: 2020Dataset Version: 2026.08.14

Names with Similar Origin (Traditional)

Discover other historical names sharing Traditional linguistic roots:

Similar Sounding & Variant Names

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Frequently Asked Questions About Terry

How many people in the U.S. are named Terry?

Approximately 5,536 living people in the United States currently bear the first name Terry. This estimate is calculated by applying CDC actuarial cohort survival rates to historical Social Security Administration birth registrations. In total, SSA records document 7,197 birth applications for Terry between 1880 and 2024.

What is the all-time popularity rank of Terry?

Terry ranks #343 in all-time national frequency among U.S. first names. This places Terry comfortably within the top 500 most widely recognized American names.

When was the name Terry most popular in America?

The name Terry reached its peak historical popularity in 1962, when 118 newborn birth applications were recorded in that single year.

What is the origin and meaning of the name Terry?

Terry has Traditional origins, historically carrying the meaning "Noble, cherished".

What is the gender breakdown for the name Terry?

According to cumulative U.S. Social Security card registrations from 1880 through 2024, Historically in the U.S., Terry has been predominantly masculine (88.2% male vs 11.8% female).

Where is the name Terry most common in the United States?

The largest estimated number of living individuals named Terry resides in California, with approximately 692 bearers (about 12.5% of the U.S. total).

How many people had the name Terry in the 2020 Census?

In the 2020 Decennial U.S. Census first-name tabulations, Terry appeared 4,528 times in census returns, ranking #520 in official 2020 returns.

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