Teressa is a name of Italian origin, derived from the Latin name Teresa, which means "harvester" or "to harvest". It is believed to have been first used as a given name by Saint Teresa of Ávila, a Spanish nun and mystic who lived in the 16th century. She was known for her spiritual writings and her influence on Catholic mysticism, and her name has since become associated with holiness and virtue.
In Italy, Teressa is often used as a feminine given name, while in other parts of the world it may be used less frequently but still appears among personal names. It is not typically associated with any particular culture or nationality beyond its Italian origins.
The name Teressa does not have any specific traditions or celebrations attached to it, nor are there any well-known historical figures or fictional characters named Teressa that would significantly influence its meaning or perception. However, as with all names, the personal significance and associations can vary greatly depending on individual experiences and cultural backgrounds. Overall, Teressa is a unique and distinctive name with a meaningful origin and history behind it.
Based on the provided statistics, the name Teressa has seen significant fluctuations in its popularity over the years in the United States.
The earliest data point available is from 1880, with a total of 5 births that year. This number remained relatively low and stable until the early 20th century, with fewer than 10 births per year between 1891 and 1921, except for peaks in 1915 (14 births) and 1922 (20 births).
The name Teressa began to gain more traction in the mid-20th century. From 1947 onwards, there were consistently over 30 births per year, with notable increases in popularity during the late 1950s and early 1960s. The peak of popularity for this name occurred in 1960 with a total of 266 births.
However, after reaching its zenith, the name Teressa's popularity started to decline steadily. By the mid-1970s, there were fewer than 100 births per year, and by the late 1980s, this number had dropped below 50.
In recent years, from 2003 onwards, the name Teressa has seen a further decline in popularity, with fewer than 20 births per year. The most recent data point available is from 2020, which recorded only 6 births for the name Teressa.
Overall, while the name Teressa has had periods of popularity throughout history, it appears to have fallen out of favor in recent decades in the United States, with a total of 6470 births recorded over the years.