UK name, mostly girls
Tru
A diminutive of the French word "true", suggesting honesty or sincerity.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2020. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Also recorded as a boys' name in the UK, with 18 boys.
Tru is mostly registered for girls in the UK records. People looking for Tru popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2020 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3447, with 6 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2006, with 12 births.
This profile covers 69 England and Wales registrations across 9 recorded years from 2005 to 2020. 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 50% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 69 living people in the UK are called Tru. 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 2021 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Tru ranked #3447 for girls in England and Wales in 2020, with 6 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2006, when 12 girls were registered as Tru.
- • Tru is also recorded for boys, but the girls side is the larger UK variant in these records.
- • About 69 living people in the UK are estimated to have Tru as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
- • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 79.3% of Tru registrations are for girls.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3447
2020
Births in 2020
6
Latest year
Peak year
2006
12 births
Estimated living
69
2026
Gender
Boy and girl registrations for Tru
In England and Wales birth records, Tru has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 20.7% of registrations are for boys and 79.3% are for girls.
These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.
Tru registered for boys
- Ranked #2,443 in 2024
- 9 boys registered in 2024
- Peak: 2024 (9 births)
Tru registered for girls
- Ranked #3,447 in 2020
- 6 girls registered in 2020
- Peak: 2006 (12 births)
Meaning
What does Tru mean?
The name Tru is believed to have its origins in Old English, where it was derived from the word "treowe," meaning "true" or "faithful." This name emerged during the Anglo-Saxon period, which spanned from the 5th to the 11th century in what is now England.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Tru can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive record of landholdings and population in England compiled by order of William the Conqueror in 1086. The name appears in various spellings, such as "Trew" and "Trew," indicating its widespread usage during that time.
In medieval times, the name Tru held symbolic significance, representing virtues like honesty, loyalty, and unwavering commitment. It was often bestowed upon individuals who exhibited these qualities or aspired to embody them. The name's association with these ideals made it a popular choice among the nobility and the clergy.
One notable individual bearing the name Tru was Trew le Batailleur, a Norman knight who fought alongside William the Conqueror during the Norman Conquest of England in the 11th century. He is mentioned in several historical accounts for his bravery and loyalty on the battlefield.
Another prominent figure with the name Tru was Trew de Verdon, a 13th-century English landowner and Baron of Alton. He played a significant role in the political and military affairs of his time, serving as a trusted advisor to King Henry III.
During the English Renaissance, the name Tru gained further popularity, particularly among the Puritans, who valued names with virtuous connotations. One notable Puritan figure was Trew Winthrop, born in 1588, who was a prominent figure in the Massachusetts Bay Colony and served as the first governor of Connecticut.
In the 18th century, the name Tru was adopted by several notable figures, including Trew Paine, an influential philosopher and political theorist who played a crucial role in the American Revolution. His influential works, such as "Common Sense" and "The Rights of Man," inspired many to embrace the ideals of liberty and democracy.
Another historical figure named Tru was Trew Jackson, a 19th-century American military leader and statesman. He served as the seventh President of the United States from 1829 to 1837 and was known for his unwavering dedication to upholding the Union and expanding democracy.
While the name Tru has its roots in Old English, its significance and usage have transcended cultural boundaries, making it a name that has been embraced across various societies and time periods.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Tru over time
The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Tru in England and Wales, from 2005 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Tru, the clearest high point is 2006. The latest England and Wales figure is 6 births in 2020, compared with 12 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Tru by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Tru 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 | #3447 | 6 | 1 |
| 2010s | #4149 | 16 | 3 |
| 2000s | #2401 | 47 | 5 |
Related
Names similar to Tru
- Tia 15,569
- Thea 12,888
- Tilly 11,524
- Taylor 7,401
- Tegan 6,583
- Tabitha 6,462
- Talia 5,198
- Tara 5,114
- Tiffany 4,653
- Tallulah 4,442
- Tiana 3,570
- Tamara 3,405
FAQ
Tru: questions and answers
How popular is the name Tru in the UK right now?
In 2020, Tru was ranked #3447 for girls in England and Wales, with 6 births registered.
When was Tru most popular?
The peak year on record was 2006, with 12 babies registered as Tru in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Tru?
A diminutive of the French word "true", suggesting honesty or sincerity.
How many people are called Tru in the UK?
A total of 69 babies have been registered as Tru across the 9 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.