Teresa
Teresa is a girl's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
To harvest, reaper, or late summer.
Origin and history
Teresa is a classic female name of Greek origin, traditionally associated with harvesting or summer. It gained immense widespread popularity historically due to prominent saints like Mother Teresa and Saint Teresa of Ávila. While it was extremely common in the United States throughout the twentieth century, its usage has softened into a steady, classic choice today.
Popularity in the United States
416,044 babies in the United States have been named Teresa since 1880. It ranks #87 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #803.
States where it is most popular
- CA (10.1 %)
- TX (7.3 %)
- OH (5.5 %)
- NY (5.5 %)
- NC (4.6 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 769 |
| 1890-1900 | 1,587 |
| 1900-1910 | 1,889 |
| 1910-1920 | 5,194 |
| 1920-1930 | 9,227 |
| 1930-1940 | 7,648 |
| 1940-1950 | 19,329 |
| 1950-1960 | 114,283 |
| 1960-1970 | 151,793 |
| 1970-1980 | 56,037 |
| 1980-1990 | 23,411 |
| 1990-2000 | 11,952 |
| 2000-2010 | 6,755 |
| 2010-2019 | 4,215 |
| 2020-2029 | 1,955 |
Famous people named Teresa
- Teresa Wright: Actress
- Teresa Heinz: Philanthropist, Businesswoman
- Teresa Giudice: Television Personality, Author
Nicknames
Teri, Terri, Tess, Tessa
Fun facts
- The name's enduring global popularity is heavily influenced by Saint Teresa of Ávila, a famous 16th-century Spanish mystic and reformer.
- Teresa has been used continuously among European royalty and nobility for hundreds of years.