Derived from Terence and Lynn; likely meaning tender lake
Terrilyn is a 20th-century American blend, combining the name Terry (from the Roman clan name Terentius) with the popular suffix -lyn. While Terry is often associated with the Latin word for 'tender' or 'soft,' the addition of Lynn adds a nature-inspired 'lake' element. It represents a mid-century trend of creating melodic, multi-syllabic feminine names.
Less common today
Terrilyn isn't in the latest US Top 1000. It last peaked at #7,447 in 1990.
US births per 5-year period, 1990–present (SSA data).
