Fun Facts About the Name Temperance
- More than 3 thousand babies named Temperance: U.S. records list 3,704 babies given the name Temperance from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Temperance Mean?
Temperance is an English virtue name meaning 'moderation' or 'self-control.' The word comes from Latin temperantia, a noun meaning 'moderation, sobriety, self-restraint,' formed from the present participle stem of temperare, 'to mix, blend, or restrain.' English adopted the noun from Latin by way of Old French. In classical and Christian moral thought, temperance was one of the four cardinal virtues, along with prudence, justice, and fortitude. The given name uses the English word for that virtue directly; it is not a diminutive or a patronymic, and it is normally female.
Temperance Name History & Origins
Temperance became established as a personal name in England in the 16th and 17th centuries, when Protestant reformers, especially Puritans, gave children names drawn from moral qualities and Christian virtues. Other names from the same tradition include Prudence, Patience, Charity, and Faith. One early documented bearer was Temperance Flowerdew (c. 1587 - 1628), an English colonist in Virginia who married Governor George Yeardley. The name was carried to colonial America and continued in use in Britain and the United States. It has never become common, but it has continued in use. In the 19th century, the word temperance also gave its name to a reform movement that promoted moderation or abstinence from alcohol; the personal name predates that movement. In modern fiction, Temperance 'Bones' Brennan, created by novelist Kathy Reichs, is a well-known bearer, but that literary use is much later than the name's historical record.
How Popular is the Name Temperance?
Temperance recorded its highest annual U.S. birth count in 2014. Its best rank was #836 in 2012.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #2,034 | 94 | 0.0058% |
| 2024 | #2,127 | 90 | 0.0056% |
| 2023 | #1,979 | 100 | 0.0062% |
| 2022 | #1,681 | 125 | 0.0076% |
| 2021 | #1,693 | 123 | 0.0075% |
| 2020 | #1,465 | 147 | 0.0091% |
| 2019 | #1,434 | 156 | 0.0093% |
| 2018 | #1,376 | 164 | 0.0096% |
| 2017 | #1,250 | 190 | 0.0110% |
| 2016 | #1,095 | 235 | 0.0133% |
| 2015 | #1,054 | 250 | 0.0140% |
| 2014 | #854 | 323 | 0.0181% |
| 2013 | #890 | 289 | 0.0165% |
| 2012 | #836 | 321 | 0.0182% |
| 2011 | #943 | 274 | 0.0156% |
| 2010 | #1,146 | 214 | 0.0120% |
| 2009 | #1,424 | 165 | 0.0090% |
| 2008 | #2,251 | 88 | 0.0047% |
| 2007 | #2,432 | 78 | 0.0041% |
| 2006 | #6,575 | 20 | 0.0011% |
| 2005 | #12,910 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 2004 | #15,926 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2002 | #17,874 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2001 | #11,961 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 1999 | #14,275 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1997 | #7,250 | 13 | 0.0007% |
| 1996 | #9,519 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1995 | #8,699 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 1994 | #10,470 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 1993 | #11,691 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1992 | #9,436 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1991 | #6,948 | 13 | 0.0007% |
| 1990 | #6,443 | 14 | 0.0007% |
| 1989 | #8,700 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1988 | #8,338 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1987 | #11,182 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1986 | #10,784 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1985 | #10,572 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1984 | #6,749 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 1983 | #7,984 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 1982 | #12,147 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1981 | #10,297 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 1980 | #8,107 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 1979 | #5,394 | 13 | 0.0008% |
| 1978 | #7,588 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 1977 | #8,373 | 7 | 0.0005% |
| 1976 | #6,008 | 10 | 0.0007% |
| 1975 | #8,951 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 1974 | #8,655 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 1973 | #9,665 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1972 | #5,898 | 9 | 0.0006% |
| 1916 | #5,079 | 5 | 0.0005% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
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How the Name Temperance Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You like to control everyone within your influence, to shape things to your own liking. If positive, you develop high spirituality, as you have a God's protection. You are sensitive, affectionate, imaginative and cooperative, spiritually aware and prone to self-sacrifice. You can keep secrets and are a good diplomat. You may have healing and psychic powers. You have an eventful, exciting life. You are versatile and have the ability to learn easily.
You are always looking for a chance to do your own thing, to be your own person, and to have things done your own way.
✦ Temperance's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Temperance's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.