Tesla Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: TEZ-lah //ˈtɛz.lə//
Origin: Slavic; English
Meaning: Slavic: 'of the Tesla family'; English: 'from the Tesla brand'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Tesla is derived from the Serbian surname Tesla, which means 'adze' or 'woodworking tool' in the Serbian language. The name is most famously associated with Nikola Tesla, the Serbian-American inventor and electrical engineer known for his contributions to the development of alternating current (AC) electrical systems.
The surname Tesla itself has roots in the Slavic linguistic tradition, where it is linked to various words denoting tools or instruments used in construction and craftsmanship. The transition of the name into broader cultural usage, particularly as a given name, can be traced back to the late 20th century, influenced by the legacy of Nikola Tesla and the growing interest in his innovations and ideas.
Historically, Nikola Tesla was born in 1856 in Smiljan, which was then part of the Austrian Empire. His work in the late 19th and early 20th centuries laid the groundwork for modern electrical engineering.
Tesla's inventions and theories, including the Tesla coil and contributions to wireless communication, have had a lasting impact on technology and science. His name gained prominence in the early 20th century, particularly after his death in 1943, when his contributions were increasingly recognized and celebrated in various fields, including physics and engineering.
Culturally, the name Tesla has come to symbolize innovation, creativity, and the spirit of scientific inquiry. It evokes a sense of pioneering spirit and is often associated with themes of progress and technological advancement.
The name has been embraced in various contexts, including literature and popular culture, as a representation of visionary thinking. The use of Tesla as a given name for girls reflects a broader trend of adopting names that are linked to influential figures in science and technology, thereby honoring their legacy and inspiring future generations.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Tesla, 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 Tesla. 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 Tesla was first seen in the United States in 1985.
Tesla has ranked as high as #1227 nationally, which occurred in 2015, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Ohio, Florida, and Indiana.
In the past 5 years the name Tesla has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Tesla 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 Tesla was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Tesla (2020)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| PA | 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 Tesla.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 13 |
| 2022 | 19 |
| 2021 | 29 |
| 2020 | 50 |
| 2019 | 74 |
| 2018 | 104 |
| 2017 | 134 |
| 2016 | 161 |
| 2015 | 167 |
| 2014 | 113 |
| 2013 | 135 |
| 2012 | 100 |
| 2011 | 70 |
| 2010 | 59 |
| 2009 | 61 |
| 2008 | 39 |
| 2007 | 33 |
| 2006 | 32 |
| 2005 | 28 |
| 2004 | 34 |
| 2003 | 23 |
| 2002 | 35 |
| 2001 | 36 |
| 2000 | 36 |
| 1999 | 55 |
| 1998 | 53 |
| 1997 | 79 |
| 1996 | 83 |
| 1995 | 95 |
| 1994 | 96 |
| 1993 | 108 |
| 1992 | 145 |
| 1991 | 122 |
| 1990 | 107 |
| 1989 | 27 |
| 1988 | 19 |
| 1987 | 9 |
| 1985 | 5 |