Find out how popular the first name Tyr has been for the last 22 years (from 2002 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Tyr by gender

Based on the last 22 years of data, Tyr is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 68 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Tyr.

The history of the first name Tyr

The name Tyr has its origins in Old Norse mythology, where it referred to the god of war and justice. It is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "Tiwaz," which is believed to have originated from the Proto-Indo-European root "*deyw-o," meaning "sky" or "god."

In Norse mythology, Tyr was one of the principal gods, known for his courage, honor, and willingness to make sacrifices for the greater good. He was associated with law, justice, and oaths, and was often depicted as a one-handed god, having sacrificed his hand to the monstrous wolf Fenrir.

The name Tyr appears in various ancient texts and historical records related to Norse mythology and culture. It is found in the Poetic Edda, a collection of Old Norse poems, and the Prose Edda, a work by the Icelandic scholar Snorri Sturluson, which provides a comprehensive account of Norse mythology.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Tyr can be found in the Gallehus Horns, a pair of golden horns discovered in Denmark, dating back to around 400 CE. The horns feature an inscription that includes the name "Tyr."

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Tyr or variations of it. One such person was Tyr Anor (c. 980 - c. 1020), a Viking warrior and explorer from Greenland, who is believed to have explored parts of North America.

Another famous bearer of the name was Tyr Heyerdahl (1914 - 2002), a Norwegian explorer and ethnographer best known for his Kon-Tiki expedition, where he sailed across the Pacific Ocean on a balsa wood raft to demonstrate the possibility of ancient transoceanic voyages.

In Greek mythology, there is a figure named Tyrios, who was believed to be the son of Hermes and Aglauros. He is associated with the founding of the city of Tyre in Phoenicia (modern-day Lebanon).

The name also appears in the Mahabharata, one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India. Here, Tyr is mentioned as a powerful and respected warrior in the service of the Pandavas.

Finally, Tyr was the name of a prominent leader of the Jutes, a Germanic tribe that settled in parts of Britain in the 5th and 6th centuries CE. He is mentioned in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle and is believed to have played a role in the establishment of the Kingdom of Kent.

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

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

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