Find out how popular the first name Tesfa has been for the last 12 years (from 1980 to 1991) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Tesfa by gender

Based on the last 12 years of data, Tesfa is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 1991, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Tesfa.

The history of the first name Tesfa

The name Tesfa is derived from the Ge'ez language, which was the ancient language of the Axumite Kingdom in modern-day Ethiopia and Eritrea. It is believed to have originated around the 4th century AD during the height of the Axumite civilization.

Tesfa is a masculine name that literally translates to "hope" or "optimism" in Ge'ez. It was a popular name among the ancient Axumites, as it reflected their cultural values of resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Tesfa can be found in the Ge'ez manuscript known as the "Book of Axum," which dates back to the 7th century AD. This ancient text chronicled the history and traditions of the Axumite Kingdom, and it is likely that Tesfa was a name used by members of the Axumite nobility or clergy.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Tesfa. One of the most famous was Tesfa Iyesus (1508-1550), a renowned Ethiopian scholar and philosopher who made significant contributions to the study of Ge'ez literature and Orthodox Christian theology.

Another prominent figure was Tesfa Mikael (1768-1825), an Ethiopian military leader and governor who played a crucial role in defending the country against invading forces during the Zemene Mesafint (Era of Princes) period.

In the 19th century, Tesfa Seyon (1822-1892) was a respected Ethiopian nobleman and diplomat who served as a representative of Emperor Yohannes IV in negotiations with European powers.

More recently, Tesfa Yohannes (1923-2009) was an influential Ethiopian writer and intellectual who helped preserve and promote the country's rich literary heritage through his works and advocacy efforts.

Tesfa Mekonen (1940-2009) was a renowned Ethiopian artist and painter whose works captured the vibrant culture and landscapes of his homeland, earning him international acclaim and recognition.

Throughout its history, the name Tesfa has been a symbol of hope, strength, and resilience for the people of Ethiopia and Eritrea. Its enduring popularity reflects the cultural significance and deep-rooted traditions of these ancient societies.

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 Tesfa was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!