How Many People Are Named Theresa?
Complete statistics for the name Theresa: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.
Theresa is a classic feminine name with roots in ancient Greek, likely meaning 'to harvest' or connected to the island of Thera. About 268,682 people named Theresa are living in the US today, making it 1 in 1,228 Americans. The striking thing? Its peak was all the way back in 1961, and it's been fading ever since.
📖 Meaning & Origin
The number 4 in numerology is traditionally associated with stability, hard work, and building solid foundations. People with a life-path number of 4 are seen as practical and disciplined, with a strong sense of duty and a desire to create lasting structures in their lives.
🌍 Worldwide Usage
⚥ Gender Distribution
📊 Births by Age Group
Avg Cohort Age: 72All 405,536 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).
📈 Popularity Over Time
Peak: 1961Annual US births from SSA records · Trend: Declining
🏆 Name Scorecard
Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency
📜 Theresa Through the Generations
Theresa had a long run at the top, spending 27 years in the US top 10 and peaking in 1961 with nearly 12,000 babies born that single year. Over 405,000 Theresas have been born in the US all time, but only around 268,682 are estimated to be alive today, which reflects just how far back the name's popularity stretches. The age story is the most revealing part: a full 72% of living Theresas are over 60, and only 9,812 are under 30. That's a huge generational skew. With an average age of 72, this is very much a name that belongs to the mid-20th century. The trend is firmly declining, and the numbers back that up completely. It's not disappearing overnight, but new parents are largely passing on it in favor of fresher choices.
📍 State Distribution (Top 10)
🌿 Related Names by Origin
Other names sharing Theresa's Greek roots
📄 About the Name Theresa
How Many People Have the Name Theresa?
Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 268,682 people in the United States currently share the name Theresa. That works out to roughly 1 in every 1,228 Americans, placing it in the Uncommon category.
Is Theresa a Common or Rare Name?
Theresa is classified as Uncommon. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.
What Does the Name Theresa Mean?
Theresa means "harvester, or from island Thera" and comes from Greek origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 4.
Gender Breakdown
Of all recorded bearers of Theresa in SSA data, approximately 0% are male and 100% are female.
When Was Theresa Most Popular?
The name Theresa reached peak popularity in 1961, with 11,990 babies registered that year. Current trend: Declining.
How Is This Data Calculated?
All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How many people are named Theresa?
Approximately 268,682 people named Theresa live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 405,536. That works out to roughly 1 in 1,228 Americans.
Is Theresa a rare name?
Theresa is classified as Uncommon in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 1,228 Americans has this name.
What does the name Theresa mean?
Theresa means "harvester, or from island Thera" and comes from Greek origins.
Is Theresa more male or female?
Based on SSA records, 0% of people named Theresa are male and 100% are female.
When was Theresa most popular?
Theresa peaked in 1961 with 11,990 births that year. Current trend: Declining.
How accurate are these statistics?
All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.