Teresa is a feminine given name of Latin origin. It comes from the Latin word "terea", which means "harvest". The name was popularized by Saint Teresa of Ávila, a Spanish nun and mystic who lived in the 16th century. She is considered one of the greatest Spanish writers of her time and was beatified in 1622. The name Teresa has also been associated with other notable figures throughout history, including Teresa of Calcutta (Mother Teresa), the Albanian-Indian Catholic nun and missionary who founded the Missionaries of Charity.
The name Teresa has been popular among parents in the United States for over a century, with the first recorded birth occurring in 1917. Since then, there have been a total of 1,165 births registered with the name Teresa.
The popularity of the name Teresa varied throughout different decades. In the early to mid-20th century, the number of babies named Teresa ranged from 5 to 19 per year. However, it was not until the late 1950s that the name began to gain significant traction among parents. Between 1956 and 1963, the number of births for girls named Teresa consistently exceeded 30 per year, peaking at 52 births in 1963.
However, this trend was short-lived, as the popularity of the name began to decline thereafter. By the late 1970s and early 1980s, the number of babies named Teresa had dropped significantly, with fewer than 20 births per year recorded between 1976 and 1985.
Despite this decline in popularity, Teresa remains a classic name that has been passed down through generations. As seen from the statistics, the name has experienced periods of increased popularity, particularly during the mid-20th century. However, even during times when it was not as popular, there were still a considerable number of babies named Teresa each year.
In recent years, the name Teresa has seen a slight resurgence in popularity, with more than 5 births recorded in some years between 1992 and 1995. This indicates that despite its fluctuating popularity over time, Teresa continues to be a beloved and enduring choice among parents in the United States.
In conclusion, the statistics demonstrate that while the name Teresa has experienced periods of varying popularity throughout history, it remains a well-established and timeless choice among American parents. With nearly 1,200 births recorded since 1917, Teresa is undoubtedly a classic name with lasting appeal.