Girl · 242nd of 35,406
Tessa
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
54,949
Total Births
145
Years of Data
2007
Peak Popularity Year
1,753
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Tessa stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Tessa is a name of Greek origin, derived from 'Theresa', meaning 'harvester'. It has evolved from historical forms such as Theresa and Teresa. The name embodies traits of warmth and creativity, with no biblical relevance. Tessa gained popularity in the late 20th century and is currently perceived as modern and friendly.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈtɛsə/
Origin
Greek
Etymology
The name Tessa is derived from the Greek name 'Theresa', which is believed to mean 'to harvest' or 'harvester'.
Meaning
harvester
Language Evolution
Theresa, Teresa, Tessa
Historical Usage
The name Tessa gained popularity in the late 20th century, particularly in English-speaking countries, as a diminutive of Theresa.
Variants & Derivatives
Teresa, Theresa, Tess
Modern Popularity & Image
Tessa is viewed as a modern and friendly name, often associated with warmth and creativity.
Famous People
Tessa Thompson, an American actress, Tessa Virtue, a Canadian ice dancer
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Declining
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 1,753 peak births in 2007
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Utah
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 9 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 3 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 9 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 16616th of 16616 | 5 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 21999th of 24088 | 8 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 4757th of 9107 | 60 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 4026th of 9204 | 92 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 2020th of 12526 | 557 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 665th of 19264 | 3,912 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 304th of 27321 | 14,022 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 242nd of 35406 | 21,342 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 258th of 30306 | 14,915 |