Theresa
First used in Spain, supposedly derived from Latin Thēra, from Ancient Greek Θήρᾱ (Thḗrā), name of a city in Santorini, Greece.
Every Theresa since 1880 — 405,831 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Theresa
Theresa is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #1,559 in 2025 with 136 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 405,831 American babies have been named Theresa. Its peak came in 1961, when 11,991 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1960s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Theresa stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Theresa year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 136 | #1,559 | — | — |
| 2024 | 146 | #1,496 | — | — |
| 2023 | 123 | #1,691 | — | — |
| 2022 | 148 | #1,484 | — | — |
| 2021 | 150 | #1,439 | — | — |
| 2020 | 156 | #1,410 | — | — |
| 2019 | 184 | #1,266 | — | — |
| 2018 | 224 | #1,105 | — | — |
| 2017 | 219 | #1,136 | — | — |
| 2016 | 210 | #1,191 | — | — |
| 2015 | 210 | #1,196 | — | — |
| 2014 | 226 | #1,124 | — | — |
| 2013 | 198 | #1,218 | — | — |
| 2012 | 232 | #1,076 | — | — |
| 2011 | 213 | #1,156 | — | — |
| 2010 | 282 | #923 | — | — |
| 2009 | 283 | #944 | — | — |
| 2008 | 342 | #832 | — | — |
| 2007 | 379 | #769 | — | — |
| 2006 | 394 | #717 | — | — |
| 2005 | 440 | #637 | — | — |
| 2004 | 410 | #671 | — | — |
| 2003 | 494 | #567 | — | — |
| 2002 | 532 | #516 | — | — |
| 2001 | 602 | #462 | — | — |
| 2000 | 679 | #418 | — | — |
| 1995 | 948 | #292 | — | — |
| 1990 | 1,499 | #196 | 10 | #5,336 |
| 1985 | 2,123 | #136 | 21 | #2,493 |
| 1980 | 2,925 | #104 | 12 | #3,593 |
| 1975 | 3,611 | #78 | 20 | #2,279 |
| 1970 | 6,411 | #53 | 27 | #1,696 |
| 1965 | 9,685 | #45 | 22 | #1,717 |
| 1960 | 11,847 | #35 | 36 | #1,336 |
| 1955 | 9,620 | #38 | 20 | #1,787 |
| 1950 | 5,628 | #65 | 7 | #3,293 |
| 1945 | 2,895 | #96 | 7 | #2,975 |
| 1940 | 2,441 | #102 | 16 | #1,796 |
| 1935 | 2,863 | #86 | 16 | #1,827 |
| 1930 | 4,783 | #50 | 18 | #1,813 |
| 1925 | 3,515 | #80 | 13 | #2,422 |
| 1920 | 2,426 | #108 | 6 | #4,237 |
| 1915 | 2,309 | #93 | 7 | #3,363 |
| 1910 | 926 | #96 | 8 | #1,298 |
| 1905 | 598 | #108 | — | — |
| 1900 | 659 | #102 | 5 | #1,486 |
| 1895 | 515 | #103 | 5 | #1,224 |
| 1890 | 401 | #101 | — | — |
| 1885 | 232 | #114 | — | — |
| 1880 | 153 | #112 | — | — |
Famous people named Theresa
- Theresa May Politician · b. 1956
- Theresa Kunegunda Sobieska Politician · 1676–1730
- Theresa, Countess of Portugal Politician · 1080–1130
- Theresa of Portugal, Queen of León Companion · 1178–1250
- Theresa of Portugal, Countess of Flanders Politician · 1157–1218
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Theresa mean?
First used in Spain, supposedly derived from Latin Thēra, from Ancient Greek Θήρᾱ (Thḗrā), name of a city in Santorini, Greece.
How popular is the name Theresa in 2025?
Theresa ranked #1,559 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 136 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Theresa?
405,831 babies have been named Theresa in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Theresa most popular?
Theresa peaked in 1961, when 11,991 newborns received the name.
Is Theresa a boy or girl name?
Theresa is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Theresa rising or falling?
Theresa is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Theresa?
Well-known people named Theresa include Theresa May (politician), Theresa Kunegunda Sobieska (politician), Theresa, Countess of Portugal (politician).