Theresa
How to say it: tuh-REE-suh · /təˈrisə/
Likely from Greek therizo meaning 'to harvest' or from the island of Therasia; a classic saint's name.
Theresa was the 637th most popular girls’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 136 babies (Social Security Administration). Its busiest decade was the 1960s, its births are down about 33% in ten years, and it is projected to slip to #728 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among girls’ names, 2025 | #637 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 136 |
| Share of births | 1 in 7,656 |
| Peak decade | 1960s |
| Change over 10 years | −33% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #728 |
| In France, 2025 | #806 among girls’ names, 10 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
Once widely used, Theresa crested in the 1960s. Now far below that height, it is expected to grow rarer still.
What goes with it
Gentle through the middle with crisp edges, tuh REE suh carries a classic saintly aura. Margaret and Elizabeth share its traditional style.
Parents who love Theresa also love
Nicknames
- Terry
- Tess
- Resi
- Tessa
Honouring a Theresa in the family
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Theresa is about under 1 in 200.
Around the world
This spelling is used in Dutch, English, French, German, Greek.
In France: #806 for girls in 2025.
Famous people named Theresa
- Theresa May (born 1956)Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2016 to 2019
- Theresa Russell (born 1957)American actress
- Theresa Randle (born 1964)American actress
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
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