How to say it
TES · sa
ˈtɛs.ə
Feminine
Tessa
Harvester
What it means
A short form of Theresa, of uncertain Greek origin, often linked to 'to harvest' or the island Therasia.
Tessa grew up as the short for Theresa, a name whose Greek roots are genuinely murky, tied either to a word for harvesting or to the Aegean island Therasia. It long ago became a name in its own right, crisp and modern where Theresa feels formal. Thomas Hardy's Tess of the d'Urbervilles gives the shorter Tess literary weight. It is brisk, friendly, and easy everywhere.
How to spell Tessa
The standard spelling is Tessa. Common variants include Tessah, Tesa, Theresa, but Tessa is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #190 in 2007, currently #311 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Nickname
Originally short for Theresa; Tess is the shorter form still.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Tessa Thompson American actress (Thor, Westworld)
- Tess Durbeyfield heroine of Hardy's Tess of the d'Urbervilles
Spelling variants
- Tessah
- Tesa
- Theresa
Names with the same feeling
Common questions
- What does the name Tessa mean?
- A short form of Theresa, of uncertain Greek origin, often linked to 'to harvest' or the island Therasia.
- What does Tessa mean in Greek?
- In Greek, Tessa means "Harvester." Tessa grew up as the short for Theresa, a name whose Greek roots are genuinely murky, tied either to a word for harvesting or to the Aegean island Therasia. It long ago became a name in its own right, crisp and modern where Theresa feels formal. Thomas Hardy's Tess of the d'Urbervilles gives the shorter Tess literary weight. It is brisk, friendly, and easy everywhere.
- Is Tessa short for Theresa?
- Yes. Tessa is a short form of Theresa, and it carries the same meaning, "Harvester." These days many parents use Tessa as a given name in its own right, not only as a nickname.
- How do you pronounce Tessa?
- Tessa is pronounced ˈtɛs.ə. Say it as TES-sa, with the stress on the "tes" syllable.
- How do you spell Tessa?
- The standard spelling is Tessa. Common spelling variants include Tessah, Tesa, Theresa.
- Is Tessa a boy or girl name?
- Tessa is traditionally a feminine name.
- How popular is the name Tessa?
- Tessa ranked #311 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.