Given name
Therese
“a harvester”
Therese is a variant of Theresa. One Greek interpretation is “a harvester.”
Meaning & origin
What it means
Therese is a variant of Theresa. One Greek interpretation is “a harvester.”
Explained through its name family
Where it comes from
Therese is a variant of Theresa. An origin associated with Theresa is Greek.
Explained through its name family
How it developed
In Swedish usage, Therese developed from Thérèse.
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1880. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Therese through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 35,595
- 5 boys · 35,590 girls
- Most popular year
- 1959
- 1,211 babies
- 2025
- 79
- #2,324 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- +16%
- Rising
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 79 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 2,324 among girls’ names. Average annual use for girls was 15.9% higher in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for girls was 1,211 in 1959. In 2025, Florida had the largest reported state-level birth count for girls with this name (9). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 28,317 as a first name in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Therese’s family of names
In Swedish usage, Therese developed from the French form Thérèse. In Swedish usage, Therese has a conventional equivalent in the English form Teresa. Therese has a related form in Theresa.
Inner ring: spellings · middle: nicknames and forms · outer: across languages.
Around the world
Therese has relatives in 4 languages.
5 related names in 4 languages. Point at a dot, or tab to the map and use the arrow keys.
Nicknames & forms 4
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Spellings & scripts 3
The same name written differently, including transliterations into other scripts.
Across languages 14
Equivalents and cognates in other languages, plus older forms it grew from.
People named Therese
- Therese JohaugNorwegian cross-country skierborn 1988
- Therese of Saxe-HildburghausenQueen consort of Bavaria1792–1854
- Elisabeth Förster-NietzscheSister of Friedrich Nietzsche (1846-1935)
- Therese NeumannGerman mystic (1898-1962)
- Therese BrunsvikHungarian noble (1775-1861)
- Theresa Kunegunda SobieskaElectress of Bavaria and of the Electorate of the Palatinate (1676-1730)
- Therese AlshammarSwedish swimmerborn 1977
- Princess Therese of Saxe-AltenburgPrincess of Saxe-Altenburg (1836-1914)
- Therese Comodini CachiaMaltese politicianborn 1973
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Therese, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Teddie
“a wealthy protector” · “God”
16% boys · 84% girls
Edie
Edie is a variant of Edith. One English interpretation is “the spoils of war; one who is joyous; a treasure.”
>99% girls
Terri
“a harvester” · “learned”
>99% girls
Darlene
“ouf little darling”
>99% girls
Denise
“follower of Dionysus”
>99% girls
Annette
“he (God) has favoured me (i.e. with a child)” · “a woman graced with God's favor”
>99% girls
Venus
“love”
1% boys · 99% girls
Evette
“giver of life; a lively woman”
>99% girls