Terrence

Terrence is a spelling variation of Terence, an English form of the Roman family name Terentius. The early meaning of that surname is uncertain, so confident translations such as “soft” or “thresher” go beyond what can be established. Its documented Roman background is more secure than those proposed word meanings.

The playwright known in English as Terence belongs to that older name history, while actor Terrence Howard is a modern bearer of the double-r spelling. Terry is an established familiar form. Terrance changes the middle vowel, and Terence keeps one r; families comparing the spellings can preserve the same broad name connection without assuming each has its own separate Latin origin.