A 1960s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Teressa since 1880
Babies named Teressa per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 5 |
| 1890s | 15 |
| 1900s | 20 |
| 1910s | 95 |
| 1920s | 123 |
| 1930s | 97 |
| 1940s | 254 |
| 1950s | 1,480 |
| 1960s | 2,229 |
| 1970s | 1,080 |
| 1980s | 509 |
| 1990s | 345 |
| 2000s | 168 |
| 2010s | 44 |
| 2020s | 16 |
Meaning & origin
Teressa is a rare vintage name that saw its highest usage in 1960, ranking in the top 15,000 in recent years. It is found approximately once in every 321,453 births, making it an uncommon choice. The name has been rising in usage since 2022, a modest revival from mid-century popularity. Notably, Teressa has no recorded appearances in top U.S. state lists, reflecting its sparse distribution. The spelling style bears resemblance to Theresa, and its trajectory suggests a quiet comeback among parents seeking distinctive, soft-sounding names.
Teressa is likely a variant spelling of Theresa, a name popularized by Saint Teresa of Ávila. The root of Theresa is debated, possibly from Greek therizein 'to harvest' or from the island of Therasia. The spelling Teressa emerged in the 19th century as a respelling in English-speaking countries.
Where Teressa is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Tess, Tessa, Resa
Sibling names for Teressa
Names that share Teressa's style, for a brother or sister.
