Temple

English
"dweller near the temple"

Temple Origin and Meaning

The name Temple is a girl's name of English origin meaning "dweller near the temple".

The old word name Temple has gained some recent notice as a girls' name via admired autistic writer and inventor Dr. Temple Grandin (born Mary Temple), subject of an acclaimed biopic, in which she was played by Claire Danes.

As a female name, it was seen as the college-girl character of Temple Drake in the William Faulkner novel Sanctuary and the 1933 film The Story of Temple Drake. And as a surname, it will forever be identified with cute child star Shirley Temple.

Famous People Named Temple

  • (Mary) Temple GrandinAmerican scientist and inventor
  • Shirley TempleAmerican actress and ambassador
  • Juno TempleEnglish actress

Temple in Pop Culture

  • Temple Drakelead character, a Mississippi college girl, in Faulkner's novel "Sanctuary" (1931)
  • ,"The Story of Temple Drake" (1933), pre,code film adaptation of "Sanctuary" starring Miriam Hopkins
  • Merlyn Templecharacter from TV series "American Gothic"
  • Temple University