Teressa Girl

Popularity: #943 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: teh-RESS-ah //təˈrɛsə//

Origin: Latin; Greek

Meaning: Latin: harvester; Greek: to reap

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Teressa is derived from the Greek name Therasia, which is believed to be related to the Greek word 'therasios,' meaning 'to harvest' or 'to reap.' The name has evolved through various linguistic forms, transitioning from Greek to Latin as Teresia, and later into Old French as Thérèse. This progression reflects the name's journey into English, where it became popularized in various forms, including Teresa and Teressa.

The name is often associated with the Spanish form Teresa, which has historical significance due to its connections with prominent figures in Christianity. One of the most notable historical milestones associated with the name is Saint Teresa of Ávila, a Spanish mystic and reformer of the Carmelite order, who lived in the 16th century.

Her influential writings and spiritual teachings contributed to the Catholic Reformation, and she was canonized in 1614. Another significant figure is Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, a French Carmelite nun who became known as "The Little Flower" and was canonized in 1925.

Both saints have contributed to the name's enduring legacy within Christian traditions, particularly in Catholicism, where their lives and works continue to inspire devotion. Culturally, the name Teressa, along with its variants, has been embraced in various artistic and literary contexts, often symbolizing qualities such as compassion, spirituality, and strength.

The name's association with revered saints has fostered a sense of reverence and admiration, ensuring its continued presence in religious and cultural narratives. The diminutive form "Tess" has also emerged, reflecting a more informal and affectionate usage, though it is less historically prominent than the full name.

Overall, Teressa embodies a rich tapestry of linguistic evolution, historical significance, and cultural resonance.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Teressa, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

TeresaTessaTarynTaliaTamsinTara

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Teressa. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

TessaTeresaTamaraThaliaTristaTianaTaliaTara

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Teressa was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Teressa has ranked as high as #1083 nationally, which occurred in 1960, and has been most popular in North Carolina, Texas, Georgia, South Carolina, and California.

In the past 5 years the name Teressa has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Teressa is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Teressa was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Teressa.

Year Total Births Girl
2025 5 5
2024 5 5
2020 6 6
2015 6 6
2014 7 7
2013 6 6
2012 7 7
2011 8 8
2010 10 10
2009 7 7
2008 12 12
2007 14 14
2006 19 19
2005 16 16
2004 15 15
2003 11 11
2002 26 26
2001 25 25
2000 23 23
1999 33 33
1998 29 29
1997 28 28
1996 42 42
1995 28 28
1994 36 36
1993 38 38
1992 49 49
1991 31 31
1990 31 31
1989 44 44
1988 40 40
1987 37 37
1986 42 42
1985 49 49
1984 44 44
1983 59 59
1982 61 61
1981 70 70
1980 63 63
1979 73 73
1978 80 80
1977 61 61
1976 80 80
1975 92 92
1974 101 101
1973 112 112
1972 138 138
1971 160 160
1970 183 183
1969 173 173
1968 196 196
1967 216 216
1966 202 202
1965 216 216
1964 238 238
1963 226 226
1962 250 250
1961 246 246
1960 266 266
1959 212 212
1958 220 220
1957 211 211
1956 182 182
1955 182 182
1954 147 147
1953 115 115
1952 87 87
1951 68 68
1950 56 56
1949 63 63
1948 55 55
1947 33 33
1946 19 19
1945 22 22
1944 16 16
1943 16 16
1942 11 11
1941 10 10
1940 9 9
1939 12 12
1938 13 13
1937 8 8
1936 12 12
1935 12 12
1934 8 8
1933 7 7
1932 5 5
1931 9 9
1930 11 11
1929 12 12
1928 16 16
1927 10 10
1926 6 6
1925 10 10
1924 9 9
1923 9 9
1922 20 20
1921 15 15
1920 16 16
1919 17 17
1918 17 17
1917 8 8
1916 6 6
1915 14 14
1914 7 7
1913 5 5
1912 6 6
1911 8 8
1910 7 7
1909 5 5
1907 10 10
1903 5 5
1898 8 8
1891 7 7
1880 5 5

Top States for Teressa (2002)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 7
100%