Tirso first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Tirso has been for the last 49 years (from 1975 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Tirso

A masculine name of Spanish origin meaning "woodland, thick brush".

Popularity of Tirso by gender

Based on the last 49 years of data, Tirso is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 8 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Tirso.

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 8 0
2020 5 0
2017 7 0
2015 5 0
2011 5 0
2010 10 0
2009 7 0
2008 8 0
2007 10 0
2005 6 0
2004 5 0
2001 5 0
1998 7 0
1997 8 0
1996 5 0
1995 7 0
1994 6 0
1993 13 0
1991 7 0
1990 6 0
1989 7 0
1988 7 0
1987 9 0
1985 8 0
1982 7 0
1981 6 0
1978 5 0
1977 9 0
1976 8 0
1975 6 0

The history of the first name Tirso

The name Tirso has its origins in the Latin language. It is derived from the word "thyrsus," which refers to a staff or wand carried by the followers of the Greek god Dionysus, often adorned with ivy vines and pinecones. The name likely emerged during the Roman era, when the influence of Greek mythology was significant.

In ancient Roman texts, there are records of individuals bearing the name Tirso, though the exact details of their lives are scarce. One notable figure was Tirso of Mendes, a 4th-century Christian martyr who was executed for his beliefs during the reign of Diocletian. His name and story were preserved in various early Christian writings.

The name Tirso gained popularity in the Iberian Peninsula during the Middle Ages, particularly in Spain and Portugal. It was embraced by both Christian and Muslim communities, reflecting the cultural diversity of the region at that time. One of the earliest recorded individuals with this name was Tirso de Molina, a Spanish monk, playwright, and poet who lived from 1579 to 1648. His works, including comedies and religious plays, were highly influential in the Golden Age of Spanish literature.

In the 16th century, the name Tirso was introduced to the Americas by Spanish colonizers and missionaries. It became more prevalent in Latin American countries, particularly in Mexico and parts of Central America. One notable figure was Tirso de Molina Navarrete, a Spanish-born Catholic priest who lived from 1597 to 1655 and served as a missionary in Mexico.

Another individual of historical significance was Tirso de Ávila, a 17th-century Spanish military officer and explorer who played a role in the colonization of Venezuela. He was born in 1597 and died around 1670.

In the 19th century, the name Tirso was carried by Tirso Luzuriaga, a Venezuelan politician and diplomat who lived from 1786 to 1850. He served as the first Vice President of Venezuela and played a significant role in the country's independence movement.

While the name Tirso has been used across various cultures and time periods, it has maintained a strong connection to its Latin and Iberian roots. Its association with ancient mythology, religious figures, and historical figures from the Iberian Peninsula and Latin America has contributed to its enduring legacy.

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

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

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"Tirso first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on October 18, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/tirso-meaning-and-history/.

"Tirso first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/tirso-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 18 October, 2025

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

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