A 1960s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Teri since 1920
Babies named Teri per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1920s | 17 |
| 1930s | 62 |
| 1940s | 1,617 |
| 1950s | 11,834 |
| 1960s | 16,763 |
| 1970s | 7,842 |
| 1980s | 3,951 |
| 1990s | 1,283 |
| 2000s | 426 |
| 2010s | 123 |
| 2020s | 39 |
Meaning & origin
Teri emerged as a given name in the United States around 1920, but its strongest period was the mid-20th century, peaking in 1960 when the name reached its highest rank. By 2025, it had become much rarer, with 1 in 229610 girls receiving the name. However, after decades of decline, Teri has been rising in popularity since 2019, suggesting a modest revival. The name is essentially a diminutive of Theresa, which has deep roots in Christian tradition via Saint Teresa. While Teri never cracked the top overall ranks, it was a familiar, friendly choice for girls in the 1960s, sharing the style of other clipped feminine names like Debbie and Cindy. Today, its revival may reflect nostalgia for mid-century names.
Teri is a mid-20th-century English diminutive of Theresa, which itself derives from the Greek name Θερεσία (Theresia). The name's ultimate origin is uncertain, possibly from Greek θερίζω (therizo) meaning 'to harvest,' or from the Greek island of Therasia. Saint Teresa of Ávila popularized the name in the 16th century, and its short forms like Teri gained traction in the mid-1900s.
Where Teri 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: Ter, T
Sibling names for Teri
Names that share Teri's style, for a brother or sister.
