Tesfa Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: TES-fah /ˈtɛs.fə/
Origin: Amharic; Ethiopian
Meaning: hope
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Tesfa has its roots in the Ge'ez language, an ancient Semitic language of Ethiopia. In Ge'ez, Tesfa translates to "hope" or "aspiration," deriving from the root word "tesf" which conveys the notion of looking forward to a positive outcome.
This etymological lineage reflects a broader cultural significance in Ethiopian society, where names often carry deep meanings and aspirations for the individual. The name has been used in various forms across different regions and languages, but its core meaning remains consistent throughout its adaptations.
Historically, Tesfa is associated with the rich tapestry of Ethiopian history, which includes the Kingdom of Aksum, a powerful empire that thrived from approximately the 1st to the 7th centuries CE. The Aksumite Empire is notable for its early adoption of Christianity, becoming one of the first states in the world to do so, which occurred in the 4th century.
This period saw the emergence of many names with significant meanings, including Tesfa, as the Christian faith emphasized hope and redemption. The name may also resonate with figures in Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity, where hope is a central theme in religious teachings and texts.
Culturally, Tesfa embodies the values of optimism and resilience, which are particularly significant in Ethiopian traditions. Names like Tesfa are often given to boys with the hope that they will embody these qualities throughout their lives.
The name's enduring presence in Ethiopian culture is a testament to its positive connotations and the importance of hope in the face of adversity. While diminutive forms or variations may exist, Tesfa remains a strong and meaningful name that reflects the aspirations of families and communities.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Tesfa, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Tesfa. 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.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Tesfa was first seen in the United States in 1980.
Tesfa has ranked as high as #1141 nationally, which occurred in 1987, and has been most popular in New York.
In the past 5 years the name Tesfa has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Tesfa 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 Tesfa was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Tesfa (1987)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| NY | 5 |
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 Tesfa.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1991 | 5 |
| 1987 | 10 |
| 1984 | 6 |
| 1983 | 6 |
| 1982 | 5 |
| 1980 | 6 |