Theresa
/təˈriːzə/noun
A feminine given name, commonly regarded as a form of Teresa.
Did you know?The name’s etymology remains unresolved: medieval scholars connected it with the Greek island of Theras, while later theories proposed Greek words for “summer” or “harvest.”
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
Theras
“A personal name associated with the island of Theras; often proposed as the distant source of Teresa, though the connection is uncertain.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
theros
““Summer”; another proposed source for the name, based on a possible association with the season.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
therizō
““To reap” or “to harvest”; a later theory connects Teresa with this word.”
4th Century
Latin
Theresia
“The Latinized form used in Christian contexts for the name of Saint Teresa.”
12th–16th Century
Spanish
Teresa
“The established Spanish and Portuguese feminine name, associated especially with Saint Teresa of Ávila.”
Modern English
English
Theresa
“An English spelling variant of Teresa, widely used as a feminine given name.”
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