Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Theresa
GirlGreek, Spanish· “uncertain; perhaps 'harvest'”
- Meaning
- uncertain; perhaps 'harvest' (origin disputed)
- Origin
- Greek, Spanish
- Pronunciation
- tuh-REE-suh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #1,559
- US babies 2025
- 136
- Best rank
- #32 (1956)
- Peak year
- 1961
Meaning and origin of Theresa
Theresa is often said to mean “uncertain; perhaps 'harvest'”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Greek and Spanish roots.
Theresa is a name of uncertain origin. It may come from Therasia, a Greek island, or from a Greek word for harvesting, but neither explanation is proven. The name first appears in Spain and Portugal, and it spread through Saint Teresa of Ávila, the sixteenth-century Spanish mystic and reformer. The Holy Roman Empress Maria Theresa made it popular in central Europe, and Mother Teresa of Calcutta gave it worldwide recognition. Theresa feels classic and gentle. Tess, Tessa and Terri are nicknames.
Other spellings with the same sound: Teresa.
Popularity over time
Theresa has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 131 different years. Its best national rank was #32 in 1956, and the most babies received it in 1961, when 11,960 were named Theresa. In 2025, 136 babies were named Theresa, and it ranked #1,559 nationally. That is 35% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #108 in 1920, #65 in 1950, #104 in 1980, #418 in 2000, #923 in 2010, and #1,559 in 2025. Of the 404,613 US girls named Theresa since records began, 24% were born in the 1960s, its biggest decade. The 1950s come next, with 89,608 babies. Since 2010, 3,057 more have been named Theresa.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Kim, Laurie, Sherry, Sheila, and Denise.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Theresa ranked highest in Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and New York.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | #827 | 6 |
| Pennsylvania | #921 | 10 |
| New York | #1023 | 15 |
| New Jersey | #1028 | 7 |
| Michigan | #1051 | 7 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Theresa is usually pronounced tuh-REE-suh, with three syllables. It has seven letters, starts with T and ends in “-sa”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Teresa.
Middle names for Theresa
A few middle names that flow with Theresa: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Theresa
Similar names
Melisa Girl
muh-LEE-suh
“honeybee” · Greek
#2,950
Catherine Girl
KATH-rin
“often said to mean 'pure'” · Greek
#314
Theadora Girl
thee-uh-DAWR-uh
“variant of Theodora, gift of God” · Greek
#2,170
Katherine Girl
KATH-ur-ihn
“uncertain; often linked to pure” · Greek
#186
Margaret Girl
MAHR-gur-iht
“pearl” · Greek
#112
Melissa Girl
muh-LIS-uh
“honeybee” · Greek
#420
Catalina Girl
ka-tuh-LEE-nuh
“Spanish form of Katherine; often linked to pure” · Spanish
#111
Julissa Girl
joo-LIH-suh
“elaboration of Julia” · Spanish
#1,136
Larissa Girl
luh-RIH-suh
“citadel; also a Greek city” · Greek
#1,646
Yolanda Girl
yoh-LAHN-duh
“uncertain; possibly violet” · Spanish
#3,248
Roxanna Girl
rahk-SAN-uh
“bright, shining” · Persian
#2,856
Odessa Girl
oh-DEH-suh
“from the Ukrainian city Odessa” · Greek
#1,197
Lists that include Theresa
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Theresa mean?
Theresa is often said to mean “uncertain; perhaps 'harvest'”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Greek and Spanish roots.
What is the origin of the name Theresa?
Theresa has Greek and Spanish roots. Theresa is a name of uncertain origin.
Is Theresa a popular name?
Not especially. Theresa ranked #1,559 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Theresa a boy or girl name?
Theresa is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Theresa?
Theresa is usually pronounced tuh-REE-suh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings