Teresa

Pronunciation: [ t-er-EES-uh ]

Girl Name #869 Most Popular Steady 3 Syllables

Two saints, one harvest — a name of mystical strength

Spanish Italian Portuguese English German

Classic Spiritual Traditional Elegant Vintage

Meaning & Origin

"summer"

Origin: Greek

Language: Greek

"hunter"

Origin: Greek via Latin

Language: Latin

The Story of Teresa

Teresa's exact etymology is debated. The most common theory traces it to the Greek therizo meaning to harvest, possibly relating to the island of Thera (Santorini). Another theory connects it to the Greek theros meaning summer. The name was primarily confined to the Iberian Peninsula until Saint Teresa of Avila (1515-1582), the Spanish mystic and Doctor of the Church, spread it throughout Catholic Europe.

Teresa peaked in the United States in the 1960s-1970s. In Spanish-speaking countries it remains a classic, timeless choice. Mother Teresa's 1979 Nobel Peace Prize and her 2016 canonization by Pope Francis gave the name renewed spiritual associations.

Saint Teresa of Avila is one of the great mystics and reformers of the Catholic Church, declared a Doctor of the Church — one of only 37 in history, and the first woman to receive this honor. Mother Teresa of Calcutta (born Agnes Bojaxhiu) became the global face of charity and compassion.

Fun Facts

Saint Teresa of Avila was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1970, making her one of the first women to receive this title
Mother Teresa received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 for her work with the poorest of the poor in Calcutta

Teresa in Other Languages

French Thérèse

German Theresa

Italian Teresa

Spanish Teresa

Portuguese Teresa

Famous People Named Teresa

Theresa May

Politician

1956

British politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2016 to 2019

Mother Teresa

Humanitarian

1910

Nobel Peace Prize-winning missionary and founder of the Missionaries of Charity, canonized as Saint Teresa of Calcutta i...

Nobel Peace Prize-winning missionary and founder of the Missionaries of Charity, canonized as Saint Teresa of Calcutta in 2016

Saint Teresa of Avila

Religious

1515

Spanish mystic, reformer, and Doctor of the Church, one of the most influential women in Catholic history

Quick Facts

Gender: Girl
Syllables: 3
Popularity Rank: #869
Total SSA Count: 310
Cultural Origins: Spanish Italian Portuguese English German
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Common Nicknames

Tere Terry Tess Teri

Pairs Well With

Teresa Maria Teresa Ann Teresa Louise Teresa Grace Teresa Lucia Teresa Isabel

Sibling Names

Maria Rosa Carmen Isabel Jose Antonio

Also a Boy Name

Teresa is also used as a boy name, ranked #8204.

View Teresa as a boy name →

Similar Names

Theresa Therese Mercedes Jessa Nessa

Playground Safety

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Frequently Asked Questions About Teresa

What does the name Teresa mean?

"summer" (from Greek). "hunter" (from Greek via Latin). Teresa's exact etymology is debated. The most common theory traces it to the Greek therizo meaning to harvest, possibly relating to the island of Thera (Santorini). Another theory connects it to the Greek theros meaning summer. The name was primarily confined to the Iberian Peninsula until Saint Teresa of Avila (1515-1582), the Spanish mystic and Doctor of the Church, spread it throughout Catholic Europe.

What is the origin of the name Teresa?

Teresa has Greek, Greek via Latin, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, English, and German origins. In Greek, it means "summer". In Greek via Latin, it means "hunter".

Is Teresa a boy or girl name?

Teresa is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #869. As a boy name, it is ranked #8204. Teresa is more commonly used as a girl name.

How do you pronounce Teresa?

Teresa is pronounced t-er-EES-uh.

How popular is the name Teresa?

Teresa is currently ranked #869 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Teresa?

Common nicknames for Teresa include Tere, Terry, Tess, and Teri.

What are good middle names for Teresa?

Popular middle name pairings include Teresa Maria, Teresa Ann, Teresa Louise, Teresa Grace, Teresa Lucia, and Teresa Isabel.

What are good sibling names for Teresa?

Names that pair well with Teresa as siblings include Maria, Rosa, Carmen, Isabel, Jose, and Antonio.

How many syllables does Teresa have?

Teresa has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.

Is Teresa a common or rare name?

Teresa is moderately common, ranked #869 for girls in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.

About the Name Teresa

Teresa is a girl name with Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, English, and German origins . The name means "summer" in Greek .

Is Teresa a boy or girl name? Teresa is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #869 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #8,204. Teresa is more commonly used as a girl name.

Teresa is currently ranked #869 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

The name Teresa has 3 syllables and is pronounced t-er-EES-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.

Common nicknames for Teresa include Tere, Terry, Tess, and Teri. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.