Meaning & History
Terri is a feminine given name that originated either as a variant of Terry or as a diminutive of Theresa. The name Terry itself derives from an English surname that evolved from the medieval name Thierry, a Norman French form of the Gothic name Theodoric, which means "ruler of the people" from the elements þiuda "people" and reiks "ruler, king". As a diminutive of Theresa, Terri shares the meaning of that name, the origins of which are usually connected to the Greek therizein "to harvest."
Notable Bearers
Terri has been used as a given name by various notable individuals, particularly in English-speaking countries. Among them are American singer-songwriter Terri Allard; American musician and voice actor Terri Brosius; and jazz drummer Terri Lyne Carrington, known for her work with Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter. Australian politician Terri Butler served in the House of Representatives. In the world of fiction, Terri is also a common name for characters.
Related Names
Variants of Terri include Teri and Terrie, as well as the French-influenced Terry (used for both genders). As a diminutive of Theresa, Terri is related to Tessa and Tess, though those are more directly connected to the full name. In other languages, feminine forms of Theresa such as Teresa (Swedish), Tereza (Slovak), and Terezija (Slovene) are found, though Terri itself is an English-language name.
- Meaning: People's ruler (via Theodoric) or harvester (via Theresa)
- Origin: German (Theodoric) and/or Greek (Theresa)
- Type: Feminine given name
- Usage regions: English-speaking world
Related Names
Sources: Wikipedia — Terri