MallowbyNames

Tesa

TEH-sah · of uncertain origin; possibly a short form of Teresa or a variant of Tessa

Peak popularity
1996
Usually for
Girls
Trend
Declining since 1992

Declining since 1992.

Popularity of Tesa since 1956

Babies named Tesa per year in U.S. Social Security records.

1631471960198020002020Most births 1992Girls
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirls
1950s16
1960s148
1970s280
1980s251
1990s386
2000s203
2010s81
2020s17

Meaning & origin

Tesa first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1956, a late entry compared to many established names. The name saw its peak popularity in 1996, but it has been on a downward trajectory since 1992, reflecting a broader shift away from similar soft-ending names. Despite never breaking into the top 1000, Tesa maintained a niche presence through the 1990s. Its similarity to the more common Tessa suggests a likely derivation, though no definitive origin is recorded. The name's rarity and modern character make it an unusual choice, with no strong regional concentration, as it has appeared in no top states. Overall, Tesa represents a minor, declining variant in the family of Teresa-derived names.

Tesa is a modern name that first appeared in U.S. records in 1956. It is commonly considered a diminutive or variant of Teresa or Tessa, but its exact derivation is uncertain. The name gained modest use in the late 20th century, particularly in the 1990s, though it has never been widely popular.

Nicknames & variants

Variants: Tessa, Tesa

Sibling names for Tesa

Names that share Tesa's style, for a brother or sister.

Sisters: Mia, Lena, Nora, Cora, Sela

Brothers: Leo, Eli, Owen, Cole, Jace

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

T is for Tesa, our favorite little girl.

T is for Tesa…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Tesa's letter becomes Tesa's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Tesa's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does the name Tesa mean?
The meaning of Tesa is uncertain, but it is often thought to be a short form of Teresa, which itself may derive from the Greek word for 'harvest' or from the island of Thera.
How popular is the name Tesa?
Tesa has never ranked in the top 1000 U.S. names. Its peak year was 1996, but it has been declining in use since 1992.
Is Tesa a boy or girl name?
Tesa is almost exclusively used as a girl's name.