UK boy's name
Tor
A Scandinavian masculine name derived from the god Thor, signifying thunder.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2022. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Tor is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Tor popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2022 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3449, with 5 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2011, with 13 births.
This profile covers 166 England and Wales registrations across 27 recorded years from 1996 to 2022. 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 38% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 165 living people in the UK are called Tor. 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 2023 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Tor ranked #3449 for boys in England and Wales in 2022, with 5 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2011, when 13 boys were registered as Tor.
- • About 165 living people in the UK are estimated to have Tor as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3449
2022
Births in 2022
5
Latest year
Peak year
2011
13 births
Estimated living
165
2026
Meaning
What does Tor mean?
The name Tor has its roots in Old Norse, the language spoken by the ancient Scandinavian tribes. It is believed to have originated from the Old Norse word "þorr," which was the name of the god of thunder and fertility in Norse mythology. This name was later Latinized as "Thor," which is a more recognizable spelling for many people.
In Old Norse mythology, Thor was a powerful and revered deity. He was associated with strength, courage, and the protection of humankind. The name Tor would have been given to children with the hope that they would embody these qualities and enjoy the god's favor.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Tor can be found in the Icelandic Sagas, which were written in the 13th and 14th centuries. These sagas were prose narratives that preserved the histories, legends, and cultural traditions of the Norse people.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Tor. One of the earliest was Tor Herdebrei (c. 1020 – c. 1080), a Norwegian chieftain and Viking warrior who played a significant role in the Christianization of Norway. Another notable figure was Tor Jonsson (c. 1451 – 1530), a Swedish archbishop and statesman who played a crucial role in the Kalmar Union, a political union that united Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.
In more recent times, Tor Nørretranders (born 1955) is a Danish author and philosopher known for his work on consciousness and the philosophy of science. Tor Arne Hetland (born 1974) is a Norwegian singer and songwriter who has achieved success in the rock and metal genres.
One of the most famous individuals with the name Tor was Tor Inge Viken (1957 – 2022), a Norwegian footballer who played as a striker for several clubs, including Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur. He was a prolific goalscorer and is considered one of the greatest Norwegian footballers of all time.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Tor over time
The chart below shows babies named Tor registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2022. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Tor, the clearest high point is 2011. The latest England and Wales figure is 5 births in 2022, compared with 13 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Tor by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Tor 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 | #3466 | 15 | 3 |
| 2010s | #3188 | 63 | 10 |
| 2000s | #2527 | 61 | 10 |
| 1990s | #1738 | 27 | 4 |
Related
Names similar to Tor
- Thomas 160,894
- Tyler 42,147
- Theo 40,594
- Toby 32,482
- Theodore 30,211
- Tommy 25,300
- Teddy 20,781
- Taylor 14,354
- Tobias 13,102
- Tom 9,822
- Tristan 9,171
- Timothy 6,200
FAQ
Tor: questions and answers
How popular is the name Tor in the UK right now?
In 2022, Tor was ranked #3449 for boys in England and Wales, with 5 births registered.
When was Tor most popular?
The peak year on record was 2011, with 13 babies registered as Tor in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Tor?
A Scandinavian masculine name derived from the god Thor, signifying thunder.
How many people are called Tor in the UK?
A total of 166 babies have been registered as Tor across the 27 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.