Tessie Girl

Popularity: #940 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: TES-ee //ˈtɛsi//

Origin: English; diminutive of Teresa

Meaning: Harvester; summer

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Tessie is derived from the name Teresa, which has its roots in the Greek word "therizo," meaning "to harvest." The name Teresa was popularized in the Christian tradition by Saint Teresa of Ávila, a prominent figure in the 16th century known for her contributions to the Carmelite order and her mystical writings. The name Teresa subsequently made its way into various languages, including Latin as "Teresa," and later into Old French and English.

The diminutive form Tessie emerged as a familiar and affectionate variant of Teresa, particularly in English-speaking contexts. Historically, the name Teresa has been associated with several notable figures, including Saint Teresa of Lisieux, also known as the "Little Flower," who lived in the late 19th century and became a Doctor of the Church.

The influence of these saints contributed to the enduring popularity of the name and its derivatives. The name Teresa, along with its diminutive Tessie, has been used in various literary and cultural contexts, further embedding it in the fabric of Western tradition.

The name's association with strong, virtuous women has helped maintain its resonance through the centuries. In addition to its religious significance, the name Tessie has been embraced in various cultural narratives, often symbolizing qualities such as kindness, compassion, and resilience.

The name has appeared in literature and popular culture, reinforcing its connection to themes of nurturing and familial bonds. Overall, Tessie, as a diminutive of Teresa, carries with it a rich historical and cultural legacy that reflects both its linguistic origins and the impactful figures associated with its root name.

Famous people named Tessie

In this section, you will find notable people named Tessie. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Tessie who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Tessie who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Tessie O'Shea was a singer and actress best known for her performances in The Ed Sullivan Show, The Muppet Show, and The King and I.

Tessie O'Shea was a Welsh singer and actress best known for her work in musical theatre and television.

Fictional characters named Tessie

The following list of fictional characters named Tessie is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Tessie is a fictional character from the short story "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson. She is the protagonist who becomes increasingly anxious about the town's annual lottery, ultimately facing a shocking fate.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Tessie, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

TessaTeresaTillyTaraTinaTammy

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Tessie. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

NessieJessieKessieBessieEssieLessieHessie

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Tessie was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Tessie has ranked as high as #569 nationally, which occurred in 1917, and has been most popular in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Louisiana.

In the past 5 years the name Tessie has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Tessie is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Tessie was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Tessie.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 8 0 8
2024 11 0 11
2023 8 0 8
2022 5 0 5
2021 12 0 12
2020 11 0 11
2019 7 0 7
2018 11 0 11
2017 7 0 7
2016 19 0 19
2015 11 0 11
2014 18 0 18
2013 9 0 9
2012 12 0 12
2011 9 0 9
2010 15 0 15
2009 19 0 19
2008 16 0 16
2007 15 0 15
2006 14 0 14
2005 14 0 14
2004 14 0 14
2003 13 0 13
2002 18 0 18
2001 9 0 9
2000 11 0 11
1999 13 0 13
1998 18 0 18
1997 19 0 19
1996 17 0 17
1995 23 0 23
1994 29 0 29
1993 31 0 31
1992 22 0 22
1991 33 0 33
1990 27 0 27
1989 23 0 23
1988 32 0 32
1987 36 0 36
1986 33 0 33
1985 39 0 39
1984 40 0 40
1983 42 0 42
1982 55 0 55
1981 61 0 61
1980 47 0 47
1979 52 0 52
1978 33 0 33
1977 55 0 55
1976 51 0 51
1975 42 0 42
1974 38 0 38
1973 65 0 65
1972 66 0 66
1971 73 0 73
1970 73 0 73
1969 63 0 63
1968 77 0 77
1967 68 0 68
1966 49 0 49
1965 64 0 64
1964 69 0 69
1963 43 0 43
1962 53 0 53
1961 57 0 57
1960 61 0 61
1959 48 0 48
1958 46 0 46
1957 48 0 48
1956 35 0 35
1955 46 0 46
1954 40 0 40
1953 27 0 27
1952 36 0 36
1951 37 0 37
1950 39 0 39
1949 45 0 45
1948 45 0 45
1947 53 0 53
1946 35 0 35
1945 37 0 37
1944 38 0 38
1943 42 0 42
1942 43 0 43
1941 40 0 40
1940 41 0 41
1939 45 0 45
1938 40 0 40
1937 43 0 43
1936 48 0 48
1935 70 0 70
1934 71 0 71
1933 78 0 78
1932 94 0 94
1931 76 0 76
1930 102 0 102
1929 132 0 132
1928 128 0 128
1927 149 0 149
1926 190 0 190
1925 191 0 191
1924 201 0 201
1923 235 0 235
1922 256 5 251
1921 293 0 293
1920 313 0 313
1919 357 0 357
1918 365 5 360
1917 393 0 393
1916 340 0 340
1915 292 0 292
1914 230 0 230
1913 187 0 187
1912 170 0 170
1911 136 0 136
1910 118 0 118
1909 100 0 100
1908 117 0 117
1907 94 0 94
1906 88 0 88
1905 85 0 85
1904 101 0 101
1903 68 0 68
1902 63 0 63
1901 67 0 67
1900 94 0 94
1899 66 0 66
1898 66 0 66
1897 60 0 60
1896 68 0 68
1895 61 0 61
1894 55 0 55
1893 61 0 61
1892 54 0 54
1891 57 0 57
1890 47 0 47
1889 45 0 45
1888 44 0 44
1887 32 0 32
1886 24 0 24
1885 19 0 19
1884 26 0 26
1883 9 0 9
1882 19 0 19
1881 12 0 12
1880 17 0 17

Top States for Tessie (1995)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 5
100%