Tera: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

Rank 2025

–

among girls

Babies in 2025

named Tera

How common

–

girls born in 2025

Peak year

1984

416 babies

All-time total

9,918

#1,680 all-time among girls

First recorded

1885

in Social Security records

Tera popularity over time

9,918 babies have been named Tera since 1885, according to official Social Security records. Switch measure to see births per year or the yearly rank.

Measure

Births per 1,000 babies of that sex, comparable across eras

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade	Girls	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	5	1	–	#1,184
1890s	34	3	+580%	#1,341
1900s	54	5	+59%	#1,451
1910s	74	7	+37%	#2,415
1920s	97	10	+31%	#2,493
1930s	41	4	-58%	#3,346
1940s	91	9	+122%	#2,689
1950s	130	13	+43%	#2,587
1960s	505	51	+288%	#1,315
1970s	3,574	357	+608%	#450
1980s	3,279	328	-8%	#486
1990s	1,246	125	-62%	#892
2000s	550	55	-56%	#2,210
2010s	180	18	-67%	#4,177
2020s (to 2025)	58	10	-46%	#6,661

The story of Tera

Tera is not currently in use for newborns in the United States: fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.

Since 1885, 9,918 American babies have been named Tera. Its peak came in 1984, when 416 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 1980s.

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 Tera stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Tera?

The median living Tera is about 44 years old; half are between 37 and 50. An estimated 9,300 people named Tera are alive in the United States today.

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

Tera year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year	Girls	Girls rank
2025	–	–
2024	8	#12,059
2023	10	#10,250
2022	12	#9,009
2021	18	#6,661
2020	10	#10,188
2019	10	#10,409
2018	9	#11,355
2017	9	#11,543
2016	13	#8,829
2015	15	#7,972
2014	22	#5,975
2013	16	#7,720
2012	30	#4,827
2011	20	#6,544
2010	36	#4,177
2009	37	#4,188
2008	52	#3,262
2007	52	#3,286
2006	45	#3,559
2005	65	#2,634
2004	49	#3,173
2003	51	#2,994
2002	75	#2,224
2001	74	#2,210
2000	50	#2,900
1995	111	#1,454
1990	217	#892
1985	373	#535
1980	356	#532
1975	381	#485
1970	191	#764
1965	48	#1,633
1960	39	#1,833
1955	16	#2,954
1950	10	#3,640
1945	10	#3,110
1940	11	#2,714
1935	–	–
1930	–	–
1925	10	#3,337
1920	12	#2,877
1915	8	#3,398
1910	5	#2,751
1905	5	#2,204
1900	8	#1,551
1895	5	#1,786
1890	–	–
1885	5	#1,184
1880	–	–

Famous people named Tera

The most globally famous bearers of the name, ranked by fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

1 Tera Patrick American pornographic film actress (born 1976) Contemporary
2 Tera Wray American pornographic film actress (1982–2016) Contemporary

Portraits from Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons).

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Tera, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Tera?

The median living Tera is about 44 years old. Half of all living Teras are between 37 and 50 years old.

How many people named Tera are alive today?

An estimated 9,300 people named Tera are alive in the United States, based on 9,918 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

How popular is the name Tera in 2025?

Tera did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.

How many people are named Tera?

9,918 babies have been named Tera in the United States since 1885, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Tera most popular?

Tera peaked in 1984, when 416 newborns received the name.

Is Tera a boy or girl name?

Tera is overwhelmingly a girl's name: 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Tera rising or falling?

Tera is declining, less popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Tera?

Well-known people named Tera include Tera Patrick (pornographic actor), Tera Wray (pornographic actor).

Names like Tera

Names that sound and feel close to Tera: shared sounds, similar era, similar popularity. Each links to its full history.

Compare Tera with similar names → More names starting with T →