Theran
Derived from the Greek name "Theodoros" meaning "gift of God".
Name Census estimates that about 242 living Americans carry the first name Theran. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Theran today is around 38 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Theran births was 2008 (12 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Theran. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
242
~ 1 in 1,416,340 Americans
Peak year
2008
12 babies that year
Average age
38
years old
2016 SSA rank
#13,988
Tracked since 1924
Popularity
Theran: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Theran from the 1920s through to the 2010s, spanning 7 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1980s, with 76 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 1980s peak, Theran remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Theran by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Theran during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Therans live
Origin
Meaning and history of Theran
The name Theran is believed to have originated from the ancient Greek language, with its roots tracing back to the 5th century BC. It is derived from the Greek word "theros," which means "summer" or "warmth." The name's association with summer and warmth suggests a connection to the natural world and the cyclic rhythm of the seasons.
In ancient Greek mythology, there are references to a minor deity named Theran, who was believed to be the personification of the summer season. This deity was often depicted as a youthful and radiant figure, symbolizing the vibrancy and abundance of the summer months.
The earliest recorded use of the name Theran can be found in ancient Greek texts and inscriptions, where it was primarily given to individuals born during the summer months. It was a popular name among the Greek communities, particularly in the regions of mainland Greece and the Aegean islands.
One of the most notable historical figures bearing the name Theran was a Greek philosopher and mathematician who lived in the 6th century BC. He was a disciple of Pythagoras and is credited with contributing to the development of early mathematical concepts and theories.
Another prominent individual named Theran was a Greek sculptor who lived in the 4th century BC. His works were renowned for their intricate details and lifelike representations of human forms. Some of his sculptures can still be seen in museums and archaeological sites across Greece.
In the Byzantine era, there was a saint named Theran who lived in the 9th century AD. He was a monk known for his ascetic lifestyle and commitment to religious teachings. His life and teachings were recorded in hagiographies, and he became a revered figure in the Eastern Orthodox Church.
During the Renaissance period, a notable Italian artist named Theran Ferrante (1470-1550) gained recognition for his exceptional fresco paintings and contributions to the art of the Italian Renaissance. His works can be found adorning the walls of churches and palaces across Italy.
Another historical figure named Theran was a French explorer and navigator from the 17th century. Theran de Gonneville (1597-1677) is known for his voyage to the Indian Ocean, where he encountered and documented the indigenous culture of the Mascarene Islands, now known as Mauritius and Réunion.
While the name Theran has ancient roots and historical significance, it is not a commonly used name in modern times. However, its connection to the natural world and the warmth of summer make it a unique and evocative choice for parents seeking a name with a rich cultural heritage.
People
Theran + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Theran as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with T
Other first names starting with T with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Theran: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Theran?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 242 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Theran going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 1,416,340 US residents.
Is Theran a common name?
We classify Theran as "Very Rare". It ranks above 76.7% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 261 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Theran most popular?
The single biggest year for Theran was 2008, when 12 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Theran is about 38 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Theran a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Theran in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.