NameCensus.

UK boy's name

Terrell

A masculine name meaning "wanderer" or "one who travels" in Old French.

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2021. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Terrell is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Terrell popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2021 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3990, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1998, with 29 births.

This profile covers 314 England and Wales registrations across 25 recorded years from 1996 to 2021. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

The latest count is about 14% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 311 living people in the UK are called Terrell. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2022 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Terrell ranked #3990 for boys in England and Wales in 2021, with 4 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 1998, when 29 boys were registered as Terrell.
  • About 311 living people in the UK are estimated to have Terrell as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#3990

2021

Births in 2021

4

Latest year

Peak year

1998

29 births

Estimated living

311

2026

Meaning

What does Terrell mean?

The name Terrell is derived from the Old French word "terrier," which means "landowner" or "farmer." It is closely related to the French word "terre," meaning "earth" or "land." This name originated in the 12th century in France, particularly in the northern regions.

During the Middle Ages, the name Terrell was commonly used to refer to landowners or farmers who worked the land. It was a surname that identified one's occupation or social status. Over time, it transitioned into a given name, particularly in English-speaking countries.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Terrell can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landowners and property in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. This historical record includes several references to individuals with the surname Terrell or similar spellings.

In the 13th century, a notable figure named Terrell de Vere was a prominent English nobleman and military commander during the Barons' War against King Henry III. He played a significant role in the events leading up to the signing of the Provisions of Oxford in 1258.

Another historical figure bearing the name Terrell was Terrell the Scribe, a 14th-century English calligrapher and illuminator known for his work on religious manuscripts and documents. His intricate and beautifully decorated works can be found in various collections across Europe.

In the 16th century, Terrell Garrett was an English explorer and navigator who accompanied Sir Walter Raleigh on several expeditions to the Americas. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Roanoke Colony in present-day North Carolina.

During the 17th century, Terrell Parke was a renowned English architect who designed several notable buildings, including the iconic St. Paul's Cathedral in London. His architectural style influenced the development of the English Baroque movement.

In the 19th century, Terrell Edmunds was an African-American abolitionist and civil rights activist who fought against slavery and advocated for equal rights for Black Americans. He was a prominent figure in the Underground Railroad movement, helping countless enslaved individuals escape to freedom.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Terrell over time

The chart below shows babies named Terrell registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2021. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Terrell, the clearest high point is 1998. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2021, compared with 29 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Terrell
07152229199620082021

Decades

Terrell by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Terrell was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
2020s #4299 7 2
2010s #2799 71 9
2000s #1267 158 10
1990s #838 78 4

Notable bearers

Famous people named Terrell

  • Terrell Egbri

    association football player

    English association football player

    2001-

  • Terrell Miller

    association football player

    footballer

    1994-

  • Terrell Lewis

    association football player

    English footballer (born 1988)

    1988-

  • Terrell Forbes

    association football player

    English footballer (born 1981)

    1981-

  • Terrell Myers

    basketball player; basketball coach

    American basketball player

    1974-

Related

Names similar to Terrell

FAQ

Terrell: questions and answers

How popular is the name Terrell in the UK right now?

In 2021, Terrell was ranked #3990 for boys in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.

When was Terrell most popular?

The peak year on record was 1998, with 29 babies registered as Terrell in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Terrell?

A masculine name meaning "wanderer" or "one who travels" in Old French.

How many people are called Terrell in the UK?

A total of 314 babies have been registered as Terrell across the 25 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.