Terrisa
A feminine name derived from the Latin "terra" meaning "earth".
Name Census estimates that about 242 living Americans carry the first name Terrisa. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Terrisa today is around 56 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Terrisa births was 1963 (14 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Terrisa. 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.
People living today
242
~ 1 in 1,416,340 Americans
Peak year
1963
14 babies that year
Average age
56
years old
2007 SSA rank
#17,461
Tracked since 1953
Popularity
Terrisa: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Terrisa from the 1950s through to the 2000s, spanning 6 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1960s, with 106 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1960s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Terrisa 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 Terrisa during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Terrisas live
Origin
Meaning and history of Terrisa
The name Terrisa is believed to have originated from the Latin language, derived from the word "terra," which means "earth" or "land." This connection to the natural world suggests that the name may have been initially given to individuals with a deep appreciation for the environment or those who worked closely with the land, such as farmers or agriculturalists.
The earliest recorded use of the name Terrisa can be traced back to the Middle Ages, particularly in regions of Europe where Latin was widely spoken and understood. During this period, names with Latin roots were commonly bestowed upon children, reflecting the cultural and linguistic influences of the time.
One of the earliest documented references to the name Terrisa can be found in a medieval manuscript from the 12th century, which mentions a woman by that name who was known for her skill in gardening and herbalism. This early association with the cultivation of plants and natural remedies further reinforces the name's connection to the earth.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Terrisa. One such person was Terrisa of Verona, a 14th-century Italian artist renowned for her intricate illuminated manuscripts and beautifully illustrated religious texts. Her works are considered masterpieces of the Gothic art style and are preserved in various museums and libraries across Europe.
In the 16th century, a woman named Terrisa de la Vega was a prominent figure in the Spanish court, serving as a lady-in-waiting to Queen Isabella of Castile. Historical records indicate that she was highly regarded for her wisdom and diplomacy, playing a crucial role in mediating conflicts and fostering peace between rival factions.
Another notable Terrisa was Terrisa Beaumont, a 17th-century French philosopher and writer who challenged the prevailing misogynistic attitudes of her time. Her influential works explored themes of gender equality, education for women, and the pursuit of intellectual endeavors. Beaumont's writings were instrumental in paving the way for future feminist thinkers.
In the realm of science, Terrisa Curie, a 19th-century Polish physicist and chemist, made significant contributions to the study of radioactivity. She was the first woman to be awarded a Nobel Prize and is celebrated for her groundbreaking research on radioactive elements, which laid the foundation for numerous advancements in modern science.
Lastly, Terrisa Evers, an American environmental activist and conservationist born in the early 20th century, dedicated her life to protecting natural habitats and raising awareness about the importance of sustainability. Her tireless efforts played a crucial role in establishing several national parks and preserving numerous endangered species.
While the name Terrisa has ancient roots and a rich history spanning various cultures and eras, its enduring connection to the earth and the natural world remains a defining characteristic, imbuing it with a sense of reverence for the environment and a deep appreciation for the beauty and bounty of nature.
People
Terrisa + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Terrisa 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
Terrisa: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Terrisa?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 242 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Terrisa 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 1,416,340 US residents.
Is Terrisa a common name?
We classify Terrisa as "Very Rare". It ranks above 76.7% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 287 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Terrisa most popular?
The single biggest year for Terrisa was 1963, when 14 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Terrisa is about 56 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Terrisa a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Terrisa 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.