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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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YouOKHun · 02/11/2016 20:24

My mother is called Tessa, I really like it; straightforward but not commonly used. Great to use a name that's nowhere on the popular list.

MsJudgemental · 02/11/2016 20:21

10-ton-Tess........

e1y1 · 02/11/2016 20:20

Sorry, but to me, Tessa/Tess is a name I would only expect to see for a dog.

youngestisapsycho · 02/11/2016 20:19

My DDs classmate is a Tess... I think it's a lovely name.
I know of 3 Tabitha's born this year.

Foxtato · 02/11/2016 20:16

I adore Tess/a. So much so I'm thinking of using it for my next dog. I can't find a name that compares to how beautiful I find it.

I couldn't give it to a daughter I can't get past 'Tess tickles'.

brokenbone · 02/11/2016 20:16

My 10 month old niece is Tessa-Rose. I didn't like it to begin with, especially as my dad kept saying about Tax exempt savings accounts(??) but it's grown on me and she definitely suits it. She's my little Tessie Bear Smile

Vixxfacee · 02/11/2016 20:16

Shemozzle Grin I just though it sounded like a Catherine Cookson characters name!

Original poster
Shemozzle · 02/11/2016 20:15

I thought we were going to go for Tabitha, but Tess/a is surprisingly much less common.

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Original poster
Shemozzle · 02/11/2016 20:14

Haha! vixxfacee. I really didn't think someone could feel so strongly about it.

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Original poster
Shemozzle · 02/11/2016 20:13

Interesting you feel there is such a difference between the two mrshathaway Grin I do prefer Tess actually, but personally don't see much difference.

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OhTheRoses · 02/11/2016 20:10

I know two. One is short for Theresa and 65 and the other is just Tessa and 35.

I like it.

Terrifiedandregretful · 02/11/2016 20:09

I was almost called Tessa. I am so grateful my parents decided against it. I think it's awful!

Vixxfacee · 02/11/2016 20:06

Reminds me of a poor peasant girl walking the moors looking for something to put on her grandmothers bed sore.

Hrafnkel · 02/11/2016 20:06

It's my bff's name so I love it! Also know a few Teresas.

All the people I'm talking about are 40+

MrsHathaway · 02/11/2016 20:05

My initial thoughts are:

  1. Tess is just lovely. Zeitgeist.
  2. Tessa is really not. Lumpen.
  3. Teresa is very Catholic.
Lovelybangers · 02/11/2016 20:03

Our last dog was called Tessa.

We loved her -but wouldn't use the name for a human now.

Pluto30 · 02/11/2016 20:01

I don't like it at all. Or Tess.

The only Tess I know is my grandparents' cocker spaniel.

NetHag · 02/11/2016 19:59

I like it a lot. I love love love Tess.

SellFridges · 02/11/2016 19:57

I know one, she's two. In fact, I know another too but she is 70ish. Surprised there were only 60 though.

Original poster
Shemozzle · 02/11/2016 19:57

I did wonder if it wasn't used because it sounds like a nickname. I do usually prefer full names on BC, but Tessa or even Tess seem like full names to me. I can't stand the name Theresa unfortunately.

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ScarletForYa · 02/11/2016 19:56

I like Tess but not Tessa.

My2centsworth · 02/11/2016 19:55

Nice name. I think I prefer Tess.

Chottie · 02/11/2016 19:55

I always think that Tessa is a nn for Theresa.

I don't know any dogs, cats or hamsters called Tessa.

NoCapes · 02/11/2016 19:54

It just doesn't sound like a full name to me
Sort of the female equivalent of Joey - just sounds wrong as a stand alone name

instantly · 02/11/2016 19:54

I've got a Theresa.

It never really struck me as underused. I suppose it is!

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