The given name Tyre originated from the ancient Phoenician city of Tyre, located in modern-day Lebanon. The city dates back to around 2750 BC and was a major maritime hub in the Mediterranean region during the Phoenician era.

Tyre was derived from the Semitic root word "ṣūr," which means rock or boulder, likely referring to the rocky formation on which the city was built. The name was also associated with the Phoenician purple dye industry, which was a major source of wealth and trade for the city.

One of the earliest references to the name can be found in the Bible, where the city of Tyre is mentioned numerous times, particularly in the Old Testament books of Ezekiel and Isaiah. The name is also referenced in ancient Greek and Roman texts, such as the writings of Herodotus and Pliny the Elder.

The earliest recorded example of the name Tyre as a personal name dates back to the 4th century BC, when it was used by Tyre, the son of Hercules and the Phoenician princess Bathyllis. Other notable historical figures with the name include:

1. Tyre Bardolph (c. 1370 - c. 1429), an English soldier who fought in the Hundred Years' War.
2. Tyre Glen (1701 - 1758), an Irish-born American settler and founder of the city of Wilmington, Delaware.
3. Tyre Hart (1811 - 1877), an American politician and lawyer who served as a U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania.
4. Tyre Nichols (1992 - 2023), an African American man whose death at the hands of Memphis police officers sparked nationwide protests and calls for police reform.
5. Tyre Sampson (2006 - 2022), a 14-year-old boy who tragically died after falling from a free-fall ride at an amusement park in Orlando, Florida.

While the name Tyre is not as common today, it has a rich historical background rooted in the ancient Phoenician civilization and has been borne by individuals across various cultures and time periods.