Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Tessa
GirlEnglish, Greek· “short for Theresa”
- Meaning
- short for Theresa (origin disputed)
- Origin
- English, Greek
- Pronunciation
- TES-uh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #311
- US babies 2025
- 978
- Best rank
- #190 (2007)
- Peak year
- 2007
Meaning and origin of Tessa
Tessa is often said to mean “short for Theresa”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to English and Greek roots.
Tessa began as a pet form of Theresa, and it is now widely used as a name in its own right. Theresa's origin is uncertain: it is often linked to the Greek therizein, meaning "to harvest," or to the Greek island of Therasia, but neither explanation is proven. The name spread through devotion to Saint Teresa of Ávila, the sixteenth-century Spanish mystic, and later Saint Thérèse of Lisieux. Tessa has a light, breezy sound that feels both classic and modern, and it is short enough to need no nickname, though Tess works well. It sits nicely beside names like Stella and Nora.
Popularity over time
Tessa first appears in US Social Security records in 1891. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 60 different years, starting in 1964. Its best national rank was #190 in 2007, the same year it reached its highest count of 1,753 babies. In 2025, 978 babies were named Tessa, and it ranked #311 nationally. That is 37% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #5,675 in 1920, #2,524 in 1950, #526 in 1980, #266 in 2000, #221 in 2010, and #311 in 2025. Of the 55,926 US girls named Tessa since records began, 25% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 13,177 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Cadence, Julianna, Alivia, Maggie, and Joselyn.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Tessa ranked highest in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Alaska.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | #136 | 23 |
| Massachusetts | #152 | 38 |
| Alaska | #168 | 5 |
| Rhode Island | #178 | 6 |
| New Jersey | #190 | 44 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Tessa is usually pronounced TES-uh, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with T and ends in “-sa”.
Middle names for Tessa
A few middle names that flow with Tessa: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Tessa
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Lists that include Tessa
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Tessa mean?
Tessa is often said to mean “short for Theresa”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to English and Greek roots.
What is the origin of the name Tessa?
Tessa has English and Greek roots. Tessa began as a pet form of Theresa, and it is now widely used as a name in its own right.
Is Tessa a popular name?
Yes. Tessa ranked #311 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Tessa a boy or girl name?
Tessa is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Tessa?
Tessa is usually pronounced TES-uh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings