What Does the Name Tessa Mean?
Tessa is a girl's name of Greek origin meaning “harvester (diminutive of Theresa).”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Tessa |
|---|---|
| Gender | female |
| Origin | Greek |
| Meaning | harvester (diminutive of Theresa) |
| Variants | Tess, Theresa, Teresa, Tessie |
| Popularity | Popular in the Netherlands (where it has ranked very highly) and in English-speaking countries. |
The meaning and origin of Tessa
The name Tessa means “harvester (diminutive of Theresa)” and has Greek origins. Originally a short form of Theresa/Theresia, ultimately from Greek elements interpreted as 'to harvest' or linked to the island of Therasia. Now used as an independent name.
Variants and related names
Tessa is related to several other names you may recognize: Tess, Theresa, Teresa, Tessie. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Tessa?
Popular in the Netherlands (where it has ranked very highly) and in English-speaking countries.
Popularity matters when you need believable test data: a name that fits the era or region you are modeling makes a generated profile look real. You can generate a complete fictional profile using the name Tessa below.
Generate a fake Tessa profile
Need a complete fictional identity using the name Tessa? Generate a full profile — address, phone, email and more — for testing and privacy.
Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Tessa mean?+
The name Tessa means “harvester (diminutive of Theresa)” and is of Greek origin.
What is the origin of the name Tessa?+
Tessa originates from Greek.
Is Tessa a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Tessa has trended in the US over time.
Tessa by gender
More girl's names
Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press