Tempy
A girl's name of Latin origin with 30 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Tempy is a two-syllable girl's name with a sharp, distinct sound — ending on a consonant gives it a firm, clear close. With only 30 recorded U.S. births, it is exceptionally rare — the kind of name most people encounter for the first time when they meet your child.
Tempy is not in the current top 1,000 girl names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Tempy is a girl's baby name, historically a short form or nickname for Temperance — a Puritan virtue name of Latin origin from temperantia, meaning "moderation," "self-restraint," or "balance." Temperance was one of the four cardinal virtues in classical philosophy and deeply prized in early American Puritan naming, which gave the world names like Patience, Prudence, and Chastity.
Tempy as a standalone name has an antique, almost whimsical quality — it appears in historical American records, particularly in the 18th and 19th centuries. Today it sits in curious company with names like Betsy, Peggy, and Patsy — old-fashioned nicknames that have outlasted their source names in certain communities. It has genuine charm as a retro revival: short, sweet, and thoroughly unexpected.
EtymologyShow more
Tempy is cataloged under the Latin naming tradition. Latin-origin names have been a backbone of Western naming for centuries, carried forward through the Roman Empire, the Catholic Church, and the Romance languages.
In the U.S., Tempy has been recorded as a girl's name since 1910, with 30 total births. Browse the Latin names hub on this site to explore the broader family.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Tempy has 6+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1910.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 5 | #6538 | — |
| 1930s | 5 | #5177 | — |
| 1920s | 5 | #5205 | ▼ |
| 1910s | 15 | #4576 | — |
The Story of Tempy
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1910, Tempy is a name steeped in history. Girls named Tempy are most likely born between 1910 and 1920.
How rare is Tempy?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Tempy is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1910, peaked in the 1910s with 15 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(6 years, 1910–1954)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1954 | 5 | #6538 |
| 1930 | 5 | #5177 |
| 1929 | 5 | #5205 |
| 1919 | 5 | #5477 |
| 1918 | 5 | #5500 |
| 1910 | 5 | #2750 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
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When was Tempy most popular?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1910–1954