Tulsa Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: TUL-sah /ˈtʌl.sə/
Origin: Native American; English
Meaning: Native American: 'place of the rock'; English: 'from the town of Tulsa'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Tulsa is believed to have Native American origins, specifically derived from the Creek (Muskogee) language. The term is thought to mean "rock" or "rocky place," reflecting the geographical features of the region where the Creek people historically resided.
The Creek Nation, one of the prominent Native American tribes in the southeastern United States, played a significant role in the early history of the area that would later become known as Tulsa, Oklahoma. The name entered the English lexicon through the establishment of the city of Tulsa in the late 19th century, which was founded in 1882 and incorporated in 1898, serving as a center for trade and oil production in the 20th century.
Historically, Tulsa has been associated with various significant events and figures. The city became a focal point during the oil boom of the early 20th century, which attracted a diverse population and led to rapid economic growth.
Additionally, the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921 marked a tragic chapter in American history, where a prosperous African American community was violently attacked, resulting in significant loss of life and property. This event has since become a critical point of reflection on racial relations in the United States and has influenced cultural narratives surrounding the name and the city itself.
Culturally, the name Tulsa carries a sense of heritage and identity linked to its Native American roots and the historical significance of the city. It embodies a connection to the land and the diverse communities that have shaped its development over the years.
The name may also evoke a sense of resilience, particularly in light of the historical adversities faced by its inhabitants. While Tulsa is primarily recognized as a place name, its use as a personal name, particularly for girls, reflects a growing appreciation for names that honor indigenous heritage and the rich history of the region.
Fictional characters named Tulsa
The following list of fictional characters named Tulsa is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Tulsa is a fictional character from the novel and film adaptation The Outsiders. They are a member of the Greasers, a group of working-class teenagers navigating the challenges of their environment.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Tulsa, 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 Tulsa. 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 Tulsa was first seen in the United States in 1914.
Tulsa has ranked as high as #1338 nationally, which occurred in 2023, and has been most popular in Texas.
In the past 5 years the name Tulsa has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Tulsa 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 Tulsa was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Tulsa (2021)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 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 Tulsa.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 23 |
| 2023 | 38 |
| 2022 | 20 |
| 2021 | 23 |
| 2020 | 9 |
| 2019 | 10 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2017 | 7 |
| 1995 | 6 |
| 1991 | 5 |
| 1990 | 5 |
| 1914 | 5 |