Theresa means summer or harvest — from the Greek therizo (to harvest). Mother Teresa is the most famous saint of the 20th century. Saint Thérèse of Lisieux is the Little Flower. Theresa May was Britain's Prime Minister. Three syllables of Mother-Teresa-level compassion, the Little Flower's simplicity, and the woman who navigated Brexit.
Mother Teresa is the 20th century's most famous saint.
Saint Thérèse of Lisieux is the Little Flower.
Theresa May was Britain's Prime Minister.
Three syllables with a strong, classical sound: teh-REE-sah.
The meaning summer/harvest is warmly abundant.
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The vibe of Theresa
summerharvestGreekMother TeresasaintLittle FlowerLisieuxMayPrime Minister
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Origin & history of Theresa
Greek therizo (to harvest)→Theresa
1
Greek roots
Theresa comes from the Greek meaning summer or harvest. Mother Teresa is the 20th century's most famous saint. Saint Thérèse of Lisieux is the Little Flower. Theresa May was Britain's PM.
2
First recorded
Earliest known use: Saint Teresa of Ávila (1515–1582); Mother Teresa (1910–1997).
3
Today
Theresa remains a beloved choice, ranking #1342 in the US. 405,689 babies have been named Theresa since 1880.
◈ Sources: Behind the Name, Oxford Dictionary of First Names, SSA data
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How popular is Theresa?
1961peak year
Theresa appears in U.S. registration data going all the way back to 1880, when records begin. Its popularity climbed over the following decades. In 1961, 11,959 babies were named Theresa (ranked #35 nationally). Today it sits well outside the top 1,000 (around #1342), with roughly 177 babies named Theresa each year. Theresa has been declining in recent years. In total, around 405,689 babies have been registered with this name since 1880.
Year-by-year registrations1880–2024 · U.S. Social Security data
Theresa's Life Path 9 is the humanitarian's number — Mother-Teresa humanitarianism. People named Theresa tend to be compassionate, abundant, and gifted at being the most famous saint in any century.
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Most famous saint
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Mother-Teresa compassion
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Little-Flower simplicity
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May-PM
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Summer-harvest
T2
H8
E5
R9
E5
S1
A1
Sum: 31 → Life path 4
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Personality of Theresa
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Steady & reliable
When they make a promise, they keep it.
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Methodical
Thorough, careful, precise.
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Quietly powerful
Their strength is always there when it matters.
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Grounded
No matter what swirls around them, they stay centred.
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