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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Surprised how underused this name is...

87 replies

Shemozzle · 02/11/2016 19:45

Tessa.

I've always liked it when seen it on people's lists but just assumed it was very well used, as it is so normal sounding. Really surprised to find it was only given to 60 odd babies last year and is ranked 600 something. So I looked up Teresa and the various spelling diminutives and that is even less used. What do you think of it? Does it sound unusual to you?

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StopHammerTime · 02/11/2016 20:57

My name and I have always loved it!

Crisscrosscranky · 02/11/2016 20:54

I went to school with a girl who's now a pornstar. Tessa is her pornstar name Shock

NeverNic · 02/11/2016 20:53

I know a child Tessa. Thinking about it, I'm surprised there isn't more locally, as it's certainly the type of name that fits with local taste. I like it.

BoredOfWaiting · 02/11/2016 20:51

It's a dog's name.

Foxtato · 02/11/2016 20:50

ThroughThickAndThin01
Oh, I love Nancy and Sadie too!!

Original poster
Shemozzle · 02/11/2016 20:48

Theresa May. Enough said I think! Maggie used to be a name I liked too but couldn't use it.

All the people saying it reminds them of a dog make it more appealing to me Grin. I think every single one of our shortlist names boys and girls would suit pets.

Dp has just come home and I suggested it and he loves it. Which is a fucking miracle! He much prefers just Tess. Whoop! Finally Another for the very short shortlist.

OP posts:
TheCompanyOfCats · 02/11/2016 20:48

Tessa is exactly that MrsHathaway, lumpen.

MakeItStopNeville · 02/11/2016 20:48

I automatically think of Ten Tonne Tessa but I think that might be an age thing.

MrsNuckyThompson · 02/11/2016 20:47

I'm considering it right now. Love Tess, don't like Teresa and we have a 'sh' sound at the start of our surname so don't think that Tess 'Shxxx' would be right.

I'm slightly worried it is about to have a real leap in popularity but don't know of any Tess or Tessas IRL.

MistressMolecules · 02/11/2016 20:46

I know of two people called Tess. One is 4 and the other is actually called Teresa but prefers to be Tess, she is in her 30's.

instantly · 02/11/2016 20:46

What's so awful about Theresa?

There are loads of longer 3+ syllable names ending in a around:

Isabella
Emilia
Matilda
Dorothea

What's different about Theresa?

TonaldDrump · 02/11/2016 20:45

I like it. I have a friend with a 2 year old Tessa, it suits her!

ProseccoPoppy · 02/11/2016 20:43

Wasn't Tess a Blue Peter dog?

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 02/11/2016 20:42

Love Tessa and Tess.

No idea why but I imagine Tess to have sisters Nancy and Sadie., which I also love..

JosephineMaynard · 02/11/2016 20:42

Lots (most?) of names are cyclical in popularity.

Tessa could well be one that's on the downwards, unpopular end of the cycle at the minute and likely to start rising again in popularity before too many more years.

Hassled · 02/11/2016 20:40

It makes me think of Tess of the D'Urbervilles, who had such an awful tragic time of it that it's put me off the name forever.

rollonthesummer · 02/11/2016 20:36

Lovely name. My mums dog was called Tessa!

Puffinity · 02/11/2016 20:35

A relative of mine is called Tessa, as was a girl at school with me, but this is on the continent. Both late 20s/ early 30s note. Don't think I know any in the UK. Teresa is awful!!!

TheTroutofNoCraic · 02/11/2016 20:33

I love Tessie

Inertia · 02/11/2016 20:32

Laughing at Vix's grandmother's bedsores !

I like Tess and Tessa.

OutwardBound2016 · 02/11/2016 20:27

A girl in DD's class is called Tessa, I like it.

SwedishEdith · 02/11/2016 20:26

Agree with the difference between the 3 variants.

I can also remember Ten Ton Tess but had to look up what it was (a bomb). Plus Hardy's Tess was a pretty tragic character. So, maybe it's not got great associations for some people.

EverySongbirdSays · 02/11/2016 20:26

Tessa reminds me a bit of Nessa (Gavn and Stacey)

Also I wouldn't use it because around here (Up North) you'd often hear a very overweight woman described as a "Two Ton Tessa" and it would be just awful if she did have a weight problem in later life.

I like Teraise, the Irish Theresa.

Judydreamsofhorses · 02/11/2016 20:25

We used to have a dog called Tess, but in a person it makes me think of "ten ton Tessie".

user1477282676 · 02/11/2016 20:24

I know three. All London based.

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