Tessy

Meaning & origin

Tessy is a rare feminine given name that first appeared in U.S. Social Security records in 1960. It reached its peak popularity in 1968, though it never entered the national top 1000. As of 2025, its usage remains stable at very low levels, with an estimated 1-in-n rate too low to calculate. The name is a diminutive of Theresa, connecting it to a long tradition of names derived from Greek roots meaning 'to harvest' or 'summer'. Despite its rarity, Tessy has a simple, friendly sound that fits well with modern short-name trends. It is most frequently used in the United States, though it has never been concentrated in any particular state. Tessy shares its family of nicknames with the more common Tessa and Tess, making it a distinctive alternative for parents who like those names but want something less frequently heard.

Tessy is a diminutive of Theresa, which derives from the Greek verb therizo (to harvest) or the Greek island of Therasia. The name Theresa was popularized across Europe through Saint Teresa of Ávila and Saint Thérèse of Lisieux. As a standalone given name, Tessy emerged in English-speaking countries in the mid-20th century, particularly in the United States where it saw modest usage in the 1960s.