NameCensus.

UK boy's name

Torres

A Spanish surname meaning "towers" or "watchtowers".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2012. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Torres is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Torres popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2012 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3987, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2010, with 6 births.

This profile covers 13 England and Wales registrations across 3 recorded years from 2008 to 2012. 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 67% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 13 living people in the UK are called Torres. 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 2013 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Torres ranked #3987 for boys in England and Wales in 2012, with 4 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2010, when 6 boys were registered as Torres.
  • About 13 living people in the UK are estimated to have Torres as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#3987

2012

Births in 2012

4

Latest year

Peak year

2010

6 births

Estimated living

13

2026

Meaning

What does Torres mean?

The name Torres has its origins in the Spanish and Portuguese languages, derived from the Latin word "turris," meaning tower or fortified structure. This connection to defensive architecture likely stems from a time when the name was associated with those who lived near or maintained such structures.

In its earliest recorded use, Torres was a surname adopted by families residing near prominent towers or fortifications in the Iberian Peninsula during the Middle Ages. As a first name, its usage can be traced back to the 13th century, when it began appearing in historical records and documents from Spain and Portugal.

One of the earliest known bearers of the first name Torres was Torres Naharro, a Spanish playwright and poet who lived from 1485 to 1520. He is considered a pioneering figure in the development of Spanish Renaissance literature and is credited with introducing the use of realistic dialogue and character development to Spanish theater.

Another notable figure was Torres Villarroel, a Spanish writer, and mathematician who lived from 1694 to 1770. He was known for his satirical works and humorous observations on society, as well as his contributions to the field of mathematics.

In the 19th century, Torres Caicedo, a Colombian poet and diplomat, made a name for himself with his patriotic works and promotion of Latin American independence movements. He lived from 1825 to 1889 and is considered one of the most influential figures in Colombian literature.

In the realm of art, Torres-Garcia, a Uruguayan artist and theorist, left a lasting impact on the development of modern art in Latin America. Born in 1874 and living until 1949, he is best known for his distinctive style, which combined elements of Cubism and Constructivism with influences from pre-Columbian art.

Lastly, Torres Bodet, a Mexican writer, diplomat, and educator who lived from 1902 to 1974, played a significant role in promoting education and cultural exchange throughout Latin America. He served as the director-general of UNESCO and was widely recognized for his literary works, which explored themes of social justice and human rights.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Torres over time

The chart below shows babies named Torres registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2008 to 2012. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Torres, the clearest high point is 2010. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2012, compared with 6 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Torres
02356200820102012

Decades

Torres by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Torres 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
2010s #3464 10 2
2000s #4432 3 1

Related

Names similar to Torres

FAQ

Torres: questions and answers

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

In 2012, Torres was ranked #3987 for boys in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.

When was Torres most popular?

The peak year on record was 2010, with 6 babies registered as Torres in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Torres?

A Spanish surname meaning "towers" or "watchtowers".

How many people are called Torres in the UK?

A total of 13 babies have been registered as Torres across the 3 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.