Tierra
Primarily a girl's name of Spanish origin with 14,918 recorded births. Also given to 70 boys.
Meaning & Origin
Earth (third planet from the Sun)
Tierra is a girl's and boy's baby name of Spanish origin, meaning 'earth' or 'land.' In Spanish culture, tierra evokes the ground beneath one's feet, the homeland, and the rich soil that sustains life — a word of profound rootedness and belonging.
Tierra is a name of natural, earthy beauty — one that grounds its bearer in something real and enduring, while having a sound that works effortlessly in both Spanish and English.
EtymologyShow more
Tierra is built from 6 letters and two syllables — a mid-length form that balances memorability with distinctiveness. Within the Spanish naming tradition, this length is typical of names that preserve their full historical form, carrying their etymology on the surface.
The interplay of consonants and vowels in Tierra creates its characteristic open, warm quality. Two-syllable names are the most common length in American naming, hitting a natural speech rhythm that works across formal and informal contexts.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Tierra was #1066 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #4640, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 121 | #5418 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 609 | #3025 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 2,606 | #1088 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 7,174 | #373 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 4,198 | #679 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 189 | #4091 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 21 | #7693 | — |
The Story of Tierra
A Millennial name
Peaking in 1993, Tierra is a Millennial-era classic. Girls named Tierra are most likely born between 1983 and 2003.
How rare is Tierra?
Only about 1 in every 120,000 babies born in 2024 was named Tierra — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1964, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1990s with 7,174 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Tierra by the numbers
- Would fill 311 school buses
- Meeting one Tierra per day would take 40.9 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(59 years, 1964–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 30 | #4640 |
| 2023 | 20 | #6134 |
| 2022 | 24 | #5444 |
| 2021 | 25 | #5222 |
| 2020 | 22 | #5650 |
| 2019 | 40 | #3778 |
| 2018 | 46 | #3433 |
| 2017 | 32 | #4473 |
| 2016 | 59 | #2898 |
| 2015 | 58 | #2999 |
| 2014 | 50 | #3268 |
| 2013 | 76 | #2404 |
| 2012 | 69 | #2627 |
| 2011 | 80 | #2344 |
| 2010 | 99 | #2026 |
| 2009 | 100 | #2060 |
| 2008 | 156 | #1503 |
| 2007 | 200 | #1243 |
| 2006 | 218 | #1135 |
| 2005 | 219 | #1092 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Tierra as a Boy's Name
While overwhelmingly a girl's name, Tierra has also been given to 70 boys in the U.S. since 1981.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tierra a boy's or girl's name?
When was Tierra most popular?
How popular is the name Tierra?
Can Tierra be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1964–2024