Holding steady.
Popularity of Theressa since 1886
Babies named Theressa per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1961, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Theressa's real moment was 1899.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 5 |
| 1890s | 29 |
| 1900s | 70 |
| 1910s | 168 |
| 1920s | 229 |
| 1930s | 191 |
| 1940s | 197 |
| 1950s | 413 |
| 1960s | 404 |
| 1970s | 207 |
| 1980s | 118 |
| 1990s | 71 |
| 2000s | 43 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Theressa is an uncommon spelling of the classic name Theresa, first recorded in the U.S. in 1886. It achieved its peak popularity in 1899, ranking outside the top 1000 but representing a distinct variant during a period when Theresa itself was widely used. The trajectory is stable, meaning it has not seen a resurgence in recent years, and latest data from 2025 show it remains very rare. The name's earliest recorded use coincides with the late 19th century, a time when many phonetic spellings of traditional names were common. While no top states are associated with Theressa, its sister names and variants suggest a style aligned with other feminine classics like Margaret and Catherine. As a underused spelling, it offers a familiar sound with a distinctive look.
Theressa is a variant spelling of Theresa, itself an English form of the Latinized name Theresia. The ultimate origin is uncertain, but it is traditionally associated with the Greek word therizo ('to harvest') or the name of the Greek island Thera (modern Santorini). The name was popularized in the English-speaking world by Saint Teresa of Ávila (16th century) and later by Saint Thérèse of Lisieux (19th century). Theressa emerged as a less common spelling variant in the late 19th century.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Tess, Tessa, Tressa, Terri, Resa
Sibling names for Theressa
Names that share Theressa's style, for a brother or sister.
