Help - middle name dilemma

[mumofoliver]

Hi

We have a semi-tradition in our family that middle names are named after grandparents. When DS1 was born, it was easy as we named him after hubbie's father who died a few years earlier. Am now expecting a girl and would like to have middle name after my mum, who also died a few years ago (we're not doing great for grandparents . . .)

The only problem is her name was Janet and the name we like at the moment is Tessa and I just don't think the 2 go together. I'm not a big fan of Janet either but I do like the sentiment. Any suggestions gratefully welcome?!

And we love Tessa but it doesn't seem to be popular at all . . .is there something obvious we are missing about the name?!

i love Tessa
what a fab name
(i think i prefer Tess though)

if you dont like Janet - what was your mums middle name? or even hre maiden name? you coul use that

Could you give her a version of Janet -e.g. Jane. Tessa Jane sounds quite nice.
Otherwise did your mum have a middle name?
We had similar problems with our girls. We ended up giving my DD2 the female version of my Dad's middle name in the end to get something we liked and had meaning for both of them.

How about calling her Theresa? Goes better with janet and is shortened to tessa.

She didn't have a middle name which is a shame. But Jane is a good idea - didn't think about it.

Yes, we like Tess more than Tessa too

Thanks for help!

i have a friend whose middle name is her mums maiden name
i think its very cool

Tessa Jane(t) is horribly 1960s.

Depends on the maiden name - I have a friend whose middle name is Neil because that was her mum's maiden name! (Scottish tradition to include maternal maiden name as DC middle name)

I like Tessa, sorry but I think Tess is slightly farm-dog sounding (sorry to all the tess's out there).
With regards to Janet, my MIL is Janet, which is enough reason to not like name - however, my DD was given my mum's name. Not a particularly exciting name, but she's my mum!!!!! I want my little girl to have a little connection to family names - if that makes sense.
Tessa Janet, will only be known as Tessa on day-to-day basis in any case.

I think Tessa is pretty. No idea why it isn't popular - possibly Theresa is more popular with people shortening to Tessa or Tess?

I don't think it matters that you aren't wild about Janet as a name - it has a significance to you. And as someone said she will only be known by her first name on a day to day basis. I'm sure when she is older your DD will be happy to explain that her middle name comes from her grandmother.

I kind of like the name but will never get over the fact that a friend of mine was nicknamed "two-ton Tessie" cos she was a bit on the plump side.

Thank you all for your help - sorry have been offline for ages. Mum didn't have a middle name so no help there. Funnily enough, since writing this we have gone off Tessa/Tess so back to the drawing board - good job am only 24 weeks!