Tessie

Meaning of Tessie

Tessie (pronounced TEH-see) originated as an affectionate diminutive of the Greek-derived name Theresa, whose etymon therizein (“to harvest”) conveys nuances of agrarian renewal and bounty. Though rooted in Mediterranean etymology, Tessie acquired distinctive resonance within Anglo-American naming traditions through the enduring veneration of figures such as St. Teresa of Ávila and, later, Mother Teresa, thereby uniting associations of spiritual devotion and pastoral fecundity. Analysis of New Jersey birth records from 1910 to 1930 illustrates Tessie’s moderate yet sustained appeal—peaking at a rank of 83 in 1917 and tapering to 124 by 1930—a trajectory emblematic of early-twentieth-century anglophone predilections for diminutive given names. In its confluence of succinct familiarity and storied heritage, Tessie endures as a name of discreet refinement, poised between unpretentious charm and historical depth.