Declining since 2016.
Popularity of Tesla since 1985
Babies named Tesla per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 60 |
| 1990s | 943 |
| 2000s | 357 |
| 2010s | 1,118 |
| 2020s | 111 |
Meaning & origin
Tesla is a modern given name inspired by the famous inventor Nikola Tesla. It first entered U.S. birth records in 1985 and saw a notable rise in the 2010s, partly driven by the success of the electric car company. The name reached its peak usage in 2015, but has been declining since 2016. While it has not climbed into the national top 1000, its association with innovation and science gives it a distinctive, contemporary appeal. As a modern coinage, it carries no ancient etymology, instead deriving its appeal from a cultural touchstone of technological progress.
Tesla is a modern given name derived directly from the surname of the Serbian-American inventor Nikola Tesla (1856-1943). It entered use as a first name in the late 20th century, particularly after the turn of the millennium, inspired by the inventor's association with innovation and the electric car company bearing his name. The surname Tesla itself is of Serbian origin, meaning 'adze' or 'axe.'
Sibling names for Tesla
Names that share Tesla's style, for a brother or sister.
