Teola
A feminine name meaning "vision" or "sighting".
Name Census estimates that about 14 living Americans carry the first name Teola. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Teola today is around 89 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Teola births was 1926 (13 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Teola. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • The typical person named Teola is about 89 years old today, placing it firmly among the names of earlier generations. Most living Teolas were born before 1947.
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Teola. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
14
~ 1 in 24,482,453 Americans
Peak year
1926
13 babies that year
Average age
89
years old
1950 SSA rank
#6,025
Tracked since 1907
Popularity
Teola: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Teola from the 1900s through to the 1950s, spanning 6 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1920s, with 87 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1920s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Teola by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Teola during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Teolas live
Origin
Meaning and history of Teola
The name Teola is an ancient one with its roots tracing back to the ancient Greek language. It is believed to have originated from the Greek word "telos," which means "end" or "fulfillment." The name carries a sense of completion and achievement, suggesting that the bearer has reached a certain level of success or has fulfilled a purpose.
In ancient Greek mythology, there are references to Teola as a minor goddess associated with agriculture and fertility. She was often depicted as a young maiden carrying a sheaf of wheat, symbolizing the abundance and prosperity of the harvest. However, there are no specific accounts of individuals bearing this name in ancient Greek literature or historical records.
The earliest recorded use of the name Teola can be found in medieval Europe, particularly in Italy and Spain. During this period, the name was sometimes spelled as "Teolah" or "Tewla." One of the earliest known individuals with this name was Teola of Genoa, a 12th-century Italian noblewoman renowned for her philanthropy and charitable works.
In the 16th century, Teola Brancacci was an Italian painter and artist who gained recognition for her religious paintings and frescoes adorning churches in Florence and Rome. Her works were highly regarded for their attention to detail and skillful use of color.
Moving forward in history, Teola Kern was a 19th-century German-American author and educator. Born in 1835, she wrote several books on education and child development, including "The Kindergarten Principles" and "Practical Lessons in Kindergarten Games."
In the early 20th century, Teola Sanders was an African-American activist and educator who played a significant role in the civil rights movement. Born in 1892, she dedicated her life to promoting equal educational opportunities and advocating for the rights of African-American students.
Another notable figure bearing the name Teola was Teola Ewing, an American artist and sculptor from the mid-20th century. Born in 1921, she was known for her unique abstract sculptures and installations, many of which can be found in public spaces and museums across the United States.
While the name Teola may not be as common today as it once was, its rich history and meaning continue to resonate with those who bear it. The name's connection to ancient Greek mythology and its association with fulfillment and achievement make it a unique and meaningful choice for parents seeking a name with historical significance.
People
Teola + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Teola as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with T
Other first names starting with T with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Teola: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Teola?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 14 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Teola going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 24,482,453 US residents.
Is Teola a common name?
We classify Teola as "Very Rare". It ranks above 34% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 198 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Teola most popular?
The single biggest year for Teola was 1926, when 13 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Teola is about 89 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Teola a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Teola in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.