Holding steady.
Popularity of Resa since 1920
Babies named Resa per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1920s | 10 |
| 1930s | 0 |
| 1940s | 64 |
| 1950s | 290 |
| 1960s | 310 |
| 1970s | 171 |
| 1980s | 120 |
| 1990s | 54 |
| 2000s | 22 |
| 2010s | 5 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Resa is a short, simple name that has been in occasional use since at least 1920, though it has never reached widespread popularity. Its peak year of usage was 1962, which reflects the mid-century era when short, feminine nicknames were fashionable. The name has remained stable in its rarity, never entering the top rankings. As a diminutive of Teresa, it carries a subtle connection to Greek etymology meaning 'harvester'. While the U.S. Social Security data shows no top states for Resa, its usage pattern suggests it was primarily a 20th-century choice. For parents seeking an uncommon yet familiar-sounding name, Resa offers a gentle alternative to more popular Tessa or Theresa.
Resa is most commonly considered a diminutive of Teresa, which itself derives from the Greek verb 'therizein', meaning 'to reap' or 'to harvest'. The name Teresa was popularized in medieval Europe through Saint Teresa of Ávila, and shortened forms like Resa emerged as affectionate nicknames. Resa has seen occasional use as an independent given name in English-speaking countries, particularly in the mid-20th century.
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Resa
Names that share Resa's style, for a brother or sister.
