Find out how popular the first name Terri has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Terri by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Terri is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 98% of people named Terri being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 20 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Terri.

The history of the first name Terri

The name Terri is a diminutive form of the feminine name Teresa, which is derived from the Greek word "therizo" meaning "to harvest" or "to reap." Teresa was initially a name used in ancient Greece, but it gained popularity during the Middle Ages due to its association with Saint Teresa of Avila, a prominent Spanish mystic and reformer who lived from 1515 to 1582.

Terri is commonly used as a shortened version of Teresa, particularly in English-speaking countries. While its origins can be traced back to ancient Greece, the name Terri itself emerged as a distinct name in the 20th century.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Terri can be found in the 1920s. Terri Denise Utley, an American film actress, was born in 1927 and had a successful career in Hollywood during the 1940s and 1950s.

Another notable individual named Terri was Terri Hooley, an Irish record promoter and music producer born in 1947. He played a significant role in the punk rock scene in Northern Ireland during the 1970s and was instrumental in launching the careers of bands like The Undertones.

In the field of sports, Terri Mann is a former American basketball player who played in the Women's Professional Basketball League (WBL) in the late 1970s and early 1980s. She was born in 1956 and is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of women's professional basketball.

Terri Schiavo, an American woman who lived from 1963 to 2005, gained national attention due to a legal battle surrounding her persistent vegetative state and the decision to remove her feeding tube, which sparked a wide-ranging debate on end-of-life issues.

In the literary world, Terri Windling is an American writer, editor, and artist born in 1958. She is best known for her contributions to the fantasy and mythic fiction genres, and has edited numerous anthologies and collections.

It's important to note that while Terri is a diminutive form of Teresa, it has emerged as a distinct name in its own right, particularly in the 20th and 21st centuries. The name's popularity can be attributed to its simplicity, versatility, and connection to the rich historical and cultural significance of its root name, Teresa.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Terri was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Terri, please contact us.

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