Temperance
From temperance. A virtue name first used by Puritans in the 16th century.
Every Temperance since 1916 — 3,709 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Temperance
Temperance is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #2,034 in 2025 with 94 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1916, 3,709 American babies have been named Temperance. Its peak came in 2014, when 324 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2010s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Temperance stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Temperance year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 94 | #2,034 |
| 2024 | 92 | #2,098 |
| 2023 | 100 | #1,982 |
| 2022 | 125 | #1,683 |
| 2021 | 123 | #1,695 |
| 2020 | 147 | #1,467 |
| 2019 | 156 | #1,435 |
| 2018 | 164 | #1,376 |
| 2017 | 190 | #1,250 |
| 2016 | 235 | #1,096 |
| 2015 | 251 | #1,053 |
| 2014 | 324 | #851 |
| 2013 | 289 | #891 |
| 2012 | 321 | #836 |
| 2011 | 274 | #944 |
| 2010 | 215 | #1,142 |
| 2009 | 165 | #1,424 |
| 2008 | 88 | #2,251 |
| 2007 | 78 | #2,432 |
| 2006 | 20 | #6,575 |
| 2005 | 8 | #12,911 |
| 2004 | 6 | #15,927 |
| 2003 | — | — |
| 2002 | 5 | #17,875 |
| 2001 | 8 | #11,961 |
| 2000 | — | — |
| 1995 | 10 | #8,699 |
| 1990 | 14 | #6,443 |
| 1985 | 6 | #10,571 |
| 1980 | 8 | #8,107 |
| 1975 | 6 | #8,950 |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Temperance mean?
From temperance. A virtue name first used by Puritans in the 16th century.
How popular is the name Temperance in 2025?
Temperance ranked #2,034 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 94 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Temperance?
3,709 babies have been named Temperance in the United States since 1916, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Temperance most popular?
Temperance peaked in 2014, when 324 newborns received the name.
Is Temperance a boy or girl name?
Temperance is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Temperance rising or falling?
Temperance is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.