Declining since 1993, #13,208 for girls today.
Popularity of Tressa since 1880
Babies named Tressa per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1971, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Tressa's real moment was 1896.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 112 |
| 1890s | 219 |
| 1900s | 233 |
| 1910s | 389 |
| 1920s | 385 |
| 1930s | 211 |
| 1940s | 219 |
| 1950s | 464 |
| 1960s | 1,034 |
| 1970s | 1,450 |
| 1980s | 775 |
| 1990s | 766 |
| 2000s | 509 |
| 2010s | 221 |
| 2020s | 47 |
Meaning & origin
Tressa is a name with an uncertain but likely shortened origin, possibly from Theresa or Patricia. First recorded in 1880, it peaked in popularity in 1896. Since 1993, its usage has been falling, and in 2025 it ranked 13,208, with about 1 in every 267,878 births receiving the name. Despite its decline, Tressa carries a vintage charm reminiscent of late 19th century American naming trends. Its simple, two-syllable sound and 'tress' homophone (meaning a lock of hair) may appeal to parents seeking a rare but familiar-sounding name.
Tressa is a name of uncertain origin. It may have emerged as a diminutive of Theresa (from Greek 'theros' meaning summer) or as a variant of Tricia, a short form of Patricia. The name saw modest use in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, peaking in 1896. Its usage has declined since the 1990s.
Where Tressa 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: Tress, Tessa
Variants: Tressia
Sibling names for Tressa
Names that share Tressa's style, for a brother or sister.
