Find out how popular the first name Terah has been for the last 45 years (from 1974 to 2018) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Terah by gender

Based on the last 45 years of data, Terah is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 97% of people named Terah being female.

For the most recent data in 2018, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Terah.

The history of the first name Terah

The name Terah is of Hebrew origin, derived from the biblical figure Terah, who was the father of the patriarch Abraham. The name is thought to be related to the Hebrew word "torah," meaning "instruction" or "law." It is believed to have been in use as a personal name since ancient times, particularly among the Jewish community.

In the Book of Genesis, Terah is mentioned as the father of Abram (later known as Abraham), Nahor, and Haran. He is described as living in Ur of the Chaldeans, a city in ancient Mesopotamia. According to the biblical account, Terah and his family were instructed by God to leave Ur and travel to the land of Canaan. However, they settled in Haran, where Terah passed away.

The earliest recorded instances of the name Terah are found in the Hebrew Bible, also known as the Old Testament. It is not known if any individuals were specifically named Terah before the biblical figure, but the name likely gained popularity among Hebrew communities due to its association with the patriarch.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals named Terah. One of the earliest recorded was Terah ben Joseph, a 12th-century Jewish scholar and philosopher from Byzantium. Another was Terah ben Elijah, a 15th-century Jewish scholar and commentator from Spain.

In more recent times, Terah was the name of an American composer and music educator who lived from 1895 to 1967. Terah Viehe was born in Indiana and studied at the New England Conservatory of Music. He is known for his contributions to music education and for composing works for band and orchestra.

Another individual named Terah was Terah Stafford, an American baseball player who lived from 1912 to 1986. He played in the Major Leagues as an outfielder for the Chicago White Sox and the St. Louis Browns between 1935 and 1942.

In the field of literature, Terah Davies was a Welsh author and poet who lived from 1849 to 1926. He wrote several works in both English and Welsh, including poetry collections and historical novels.

These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who have borne the name Terah. While not a common name, it has been used across various cultures and time periods, often with connections to its biblical origins and meanings related to instruction and law.

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 Terah was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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