Tekla
Every Tekla since 1889 — 461 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Tekla
Tekla is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1889, 461 American babies have been named Tekla. Its peak came in 1916, when 16 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1910s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Tekla stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Tekla year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — |
| 2022 | 7 | #13,450 |
| 2021 | 9 | #11,075 |
| 2020 | 5 | #17,289 |
| 2019 | 7 | #13,677 |
| 2018 | — | — |
| 2017 | 5 | #18,200 |
| 2016 | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — |
| 2009 | 8 | #13,582 |
| 2008 | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — |
| 2006 | — | — |
| 2005 | 6 | #16,270 |
| 2004 | — | — |
| 2003 | — | — |
| 2002 | — | — |
| 2001 | — | — |
| 2000 | 5 | #17,396 |
| 1995 | — | — |
| 1990 | — | — |
| 1985 | 5 | #12,328 |
| 1980 | — | — |
| 1975 | 10 | #5,952 |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | 9 | #4,739 |
| 1955 | 5 | #6,632 |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | 5 | #5,172 |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | 8 | #3,923 |
| 1915 | 12 | #2,514 |
| 1910 | 5 | #2,749 |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | 7 | #1,414 |
| 1890 | 5 | #1,513 |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Famous people named Tekla
- Tekla Bądarzewska-Baranowska Composer · 1834–1861
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Tekla in 2025?
Tekla did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Tekla?
461 babies have been named Tekla in the United States since 1889, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Tekla most popular?
Tekla peaked in 1916, when 16 newborns received the name.
Is Tekla a boy or girl name?
Tekla is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Tekla rising or falling?
Tekla has been roughly stable over the past decade.
Who are famous people named Tekla?
Well-known people named Tekla include Tekla Bądarzewska-Baranowska (composer).