Teresa

Teresa is a feminine given name used in many languages. It is the English form of names such as Theresa and Thérèse, with regional variants including Teresa (Spanish, Italian, Portuguese), Teréz (Hungarian), and Therese or Thérèse in French. The exact origin of the name is uncertain, but it has long circulated in Christian Europe through saints and religious figures. Variants and diminutives include Theresa, Therese, Teresia, Tess, Tess, and Terri.

Prominent historical figures bearing the name include Saint Teresa of Ávila (1515–1582), a Spanish mystic, reformer of the Carmelite order, and Doctor of the Church. Another is Mother Teresa of Calcutta (1910–1997), born Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu, a Roman Catholic nun and Nobel Peace Prize laureate famed for her charitable work in India. Saint Therese of Lisieux (Thérèse de Lisieux, 1873–1897), a French Carmelite nun known as Therese or the Little Flower, is also celebrated as a Doctor of the Church. In modern popular culture, Teresa Teng (1953–1995) was a highly influential Taiwanese singer and cultural icon.

Today the name Teresa remains common across many regions and cultures, used by countless individuals in various professions. It also appears in literature and media, and in place and character names, illustrating its broad geographic and cultural reach. Variants and nicknames continue to reflect regional spelling preferences and personal choice.