Torrance is a unique and distinctive name of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Scottish surname "Torrans," which is itself an altered form of the Gaelic personal name "Thormond." The original Gaelic name, "Thormond," consists of two elements: "Thor" and "mond," which mean "thunder" and "protection" respectively. Therefore, Torrance can be translated as "Thor's protection."
The name Torrance has a rich history in Scotland, with the first recorded instance of its use appearing in the early 13th century. In medieval Scottish records, it was often used as both a given name and a surname. The most notable early bearer of this name was Thomas de Tornes, who was recorded as witnessing a charter in 1296.
Over time, Torrance has evolved from a Scottish surname to a given name for boys. Today, it is still relatively rare but can be found in various parts of the world, particularly in English-speaking countries like the United States and Canada.
In summary, Torrance is a unique and historic name with Scottish roots. Its meaning, "Thor's protection," offers a glimpse into its ancient origins and cultural heritage. Despite its rarity today, Torrance remains a notable name with a rich history behind it.
Based on the provided statistics, we can observe an interesting trend regarding the name Torrance over several years in the United States.
In the mid-1970s, the name Torrance was given to just five babies annually. However, it experienced a significant surge in popularity during the early 2000s. The peak year for the name Torrance was 2002, with 73 births recorded that year—a remarkable increase from its initial figure.
The years following 2002 saw fluctuations in the number of babies named Torrance. In 2003 and 2004, the numbers remained relatively high at 62 and 44 births respectively. However, by 2008, the annual births had decreased to just 13—a stark contrast from its peak six years prior.
From 2009 onwards, the name Torrance continued to be chosen for babies each year but with decreasing frequency. The numbers have remained below 25 annually since then, with a notable dip in recent years—7 births each in 2020 and 2021, followed by another 7 births in 2022.
In total, over the span of several decades (from 1975 to 2023), there have been a total of 545 babies named Torrance born in the United States.