Find out how popular the first name Tulsa has been for the last 34 years (from 1990 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Tulsa by gender

Based on the last 34 years of data, Tulsa is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 38 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Tulsa.

The history of the first name Tulsa

The name Tulsa has its origins in the Creek language, spoken by the Creek or Muscogee people, a Native American tribe that inhabited areas of what is now the southeastern United States. The name is derived from the Creek words "tula" meaning "town" and "sawanogi" meaning "from the old," suggesting a connection to an old or abandoned settlement.

In the early 19th century, the Creek people were forcibly relocated from their ancestral lands in Alabama and Georgia to Indian Territory, which would later become part of Oklahoma. During this period, a group of Creek settlers established a new town along the Arkansas River, which they named Tulsa, drawing from the Creek words that reflected its ties to their ancestral homeland.

The earliest recorded use of the name Tulsa dates back to 1836, when it was documented in a report by the U.S. Army Corps of Topographical Engineers. As the settlement grew, the name Tulsa became more widely recognized and used to refer to the area.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Tulsa. One of the earliest was Tulsa-Micco (c. 1800-1857), a prominent Creek chief who played a significant role in the tribe's negotiations with the United States government during the forced relocation known as the Trail of Tears.

Another notable figure was Tulsa Russell (1835-1923), a Creek entrepreneur and rancher who established one of the largest cattle operations in Indian Territory. His success helped to shape the economic development of the region that would become Oklahoma.

In the 20th century, Tulsa Williams (1919-2003) gained recognition as a renowned painter and sculptor from the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. Her artwork celebrated the cultural traditions and heritage of her people, and she was widely acclaimed for her contributions to Native American art.

Tulsa Kinney (1905-1998) was a prominent baseball player who spent several seasons in the Negro Leagues, showcasing his talents as a skilled outfielder and baserunner during a time when segregation prevented African American athletes from participating in Major League Baseball.

More recently, Tulsa Greenwood (1948-2019) was a respected activist and community leader who worked tirelessly to preserve the history and legacy of the Greenwood District in Tulsa, Oklahoma, which was once a thriving center of African American commerce and culture before being devastated by the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921.

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

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

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