The nameTessa
Tessa is a girl's name of Greek origin, a pet form of Theresa. Short and lively, it is popular in the Netherlands and the United States.
- Girl's name
- English and Dutch
Meaning
Tessa is a diminutive of Theresa, whose meaning is uncertain, perhaps from the Greek therizein, "to harvest".
Origin
English and Dutch.
History
Tessa is in the American top 200. Tessa Thompson and Tessa Virtue are famous bearers.
Did you know?
- Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir won Olympic gold in ice dance in 2010 and again in 2018.
Famous people named Tessa
- Tessa Thompson, actress
- Tessa Virtue, ice dancer
- Tessa Jowell, politician
Popularity of the name Tessa
Tessa in the United States
Tessa was most popular in the United States in the 2010s, with 13,878 births over the decade, 25% of all recorded babies named Tessa. Its rise began around 1970, and it peaked in 2007. Half of all babies named Tessa in the United States were born before 2004. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 1,044 births a year on average, against 1,369 in the five years before.
Tessa in the United Kingdom
Tessa was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 713 births over the decade, 37% of all recorded babies named Tessa. Half of all babies named Tessa in the United Kingdom were born before 2012, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 65 births a year.
Tessa in France
Tessa in Belgium
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Tessa
Names from the same generation as Tessa, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Tessa? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Tessa with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Tessa side by side with the name of your choice.
Tessa in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Tessa mean?
Tessa is a diminutive of Theresa, whose meaning is uncertain, perhaps from the Greek therizein, "to harvest".
What is the origin of the name Tessa?
English and Dutch.
Is Tessa a girl's or a boy's name?
Tessa is a girl's name.
How popular is the name Tessa?
In 2024, Tessa was the 303rd most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 1,034 births.
What are the variants of the name Tessa?
Variants and related names of Tessa include Teresa and Theresa.
What are good sibling names for Tessa?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Maddison, Lexi, Marilyn and Autumn for a sister, Johnny, Chase, Franklin and Blake for a brother.
Who are famous people named Tessa?
Tessa Thompson, actress; Tessa Virtue, ice dancer; Tessa Jowell, politician.