Tempie first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Tempie has been for the last 40 years (from 1975 to 2014) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Tempie

A feminine name derived from the French word "temps", meaning "time" or "season".

Popularity of Tempie by gender

Based on the last 40 years of data, Tempie is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2014, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Tempie.

Year Male Count Female Count
2014 0 5
1994 0 6
1986 0 6
1981 0 7
1979 0 5
1978 0 5
1976 0 9
1975 0 5

The history of the first name Tempie

The given name Tempie is believed to have originated from the Old English word "temp," which means "time" or "season." This name can be traced back to the early medieval period in England and parts of northern Europe.

In its earliest form, the name was likely used as a nickname or descriptive term for someone born during a particular season or time of year. It may have also been used to describe someone with a sense of timing or punctuality.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Tempie can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landowners and properties in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. This suggests that the name was in use among the Anglo-Saxon population before the Norman Conquest.

Throughout the Middle Ages, the name Tempie remained relatively uncommon, but it did appear in various historical records and chronicles. One notable figure bearing the name was Tempie de Vere, a noblewoman and landowner who lived in England during the 13th century.

In the 16th century, a variant spelling of the name, "Tempye," appeared in the works of the English poet and playwright William Shakespeare. In his play "The Taming of the Shrew," one of the characters is referred to as "Tempye the Shrew."

During the 17th century, the name Tempie gained some popularity among the Puritan communities in New England. One prominent figure was Tempie Winthrop, the wife of John Winthrop, the first governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. She was born in 1588 and died in 1647.

In the 19th century, the name Tempie experienced a resurgence in popularity, particularly in the southern United States. One notable bearer of the name was Tempie Avery, a pioneer and educator who founded the Greensboro Female College in North Carolina. She was born in 1788 and died in 1865.

Another significant figure with the name Tempie was Tempie Herndon Durham, a prominent philanthropist and social activist from Georgia. She was born in 1845 and dedicated her life to improving education and social services in her community.

While not as common today, the name Tempie continues to be used, particularly in certain regions and cultural communities. Its unique historical roots and associations with timing, seasons, and perseverance have made it a distinctive and memorable name throughout the centuries.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Tempie was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Tempie, please contact us.

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"Tempie first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on September 9, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/tempie-meaning-and-history/.

"Tempie first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/tempie-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 9 September, 2025

Tempie first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/tempie-meaning-and-history/.

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