Terri is a gender-neutral name of English origin that has gained popularity in recent decades. The name is typically associated with the female form Terrie, but it can also be used as a short form for both male and female names ending in "ter," such as Terence or Teresa.
The meaning of the name Terri varies depending on its origin. Some believe it to mean "bold spear" when derived from the Old German name Tervingus, while others interpret it as "fierce power" when associated with the Latin name Terrentius.
There is no definitive historical figure named Terri, but there are several notable individuals who have had variations of this name throughout history. Saint Teresa of Ávila, born in 1515, was a prominent Spanish nun and mystic who founded several monasteries during her lifetime. Tereza de Bengalia, born in 1847, was a Brazilian abolitionist and feminist who fought against slavery and women's oppression.
In popular culture, Terri has been used as a given name for various characters in literature, film, and television. For example, Terri Clark is a Canadian country music singer-songwriter, while Terri Hatcher played Lois Lane in the TV series "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman" from 1993 to 1997.
Today, Terri continues to be used as a popular given name for both boys and girls, with its meaning and history adding to its appeal. Parents who choose this name may appreciate its unique sound, gender-neutrality, and connection to powerful historical figures.
Based on the statistical data provided for the given name Terri in the United States:
From 1922 to 1940, there were less than 62 births per year, with some years having as few as five births.
The number of births started to increase significantly from 1941 onwards. The highest peak was observed between 1953 and 1958, during which the number of births ranged from approximately 8000 to over 8700 per year.
This trend continued until around 1962 when the popularity of the name started to decline gradually. Between 1963 and 1974, there were around 4000 to 8000 births each year.
The popularity of the name Terri saw another significant drop from 1975 onwards. From this point until 2023, the number of births per year has been below 500, with many years having fewer than 200 births.
As of 2023, there have been a total of 146,067 births named Terri in the United States since 1922.