Thoughts onthe name Tressa?

[katzenjammers]

As I winnow down name choices from a new pile, I am debating using this name. It's an OLD family name (it goes back to a great, great aunt or cousin 3 times removed on my father's side) but it got mixed reception from some people, while others seem to really like it. It is Cornish for third (per the database entry) and this would be for my third girl. ATM other options on the table are India, which I love but have a child with an I name, Sylvia, which I also like but I have 2 "s" names already, and Georgia, which I also like but seems a tad plain in comparison to some zingier names above. I also like Keyna (prn Kain-ah I think), a welsh and cornish name meaning jewel but I don't think DH will be swayed there since he hates K's.

Tressa has a long history of use in England but not here, and I like the fact that it is a family name. Problem is, I dislike the name Teresa, and also think it would be confused with Tessa (Which I like, but not as much as Tressa).

So what are first impressions of this name? Does it seem too contracted/nicknamey as a given name? Do you only think of the word tress or dresser or Teresa the moment you hear it? Does your first impression leave you with a sense of tackiness-or do you find it exotic and/or interesting?

TIA, I am curious as to what this name evokes here. I recognize opinions will be subjective (as with all names!) but am interested nonetheless.

[esrever88]

Hmm, interesting! I like a lot of "-essa" names, so Tressa seems like she should be up my alley, but somehow I'm not really feeling it - not sure why. Maybe it's the word tress/tresses that's getting to me here. I don't find it tacky, though, and I love that it has family significance for you. Just doesn't do that much for me - sorry I couldn't be of more help than this!

[katzenjammers]

I agree with you, part of what's bothering me is that when I go to use it in the possessive it ends up sounding like tresses instead of "Tressa's." Not sure if that would bother me long term though or if I'd get used to it. I don't particular have negative associations with the word "tress," just don't know if the name is too wordy.

[tressa]

Hahaha well as a Tressa, I may be a bit biased, but so far in my 23 years, I've got nothing but genuine compliments on my name. It's an old name in my family too- I actually had a great-aunt Tressa on each side of my family.

I really love my name becaue I have never met another Tressa yet, but at the same time it's not a trendy or made-up name.
Good luck!

[katzenjammers]

Hi Tressa! I had seen your user name earlier in my searches and wondered about how you felt about this name. I am glad to hear your name has received such good reception and more importantly, that YOU like it. I want to bestow her with something neat and quirky but legitimate, and like you, since it has a family history I am finding it appealing on that front too.

BTW, do you deal with lots of confusion over the name Tessa and/or if you do is that quickly cleared up?

[thetxbelle]

It sort of reminds me of TRESemmé shampoo

[katzenjammers]

ITA-I can see that, not sure if it would be a big deal or not but I agree the shampoo comes to mind!

[goodhope]

I'm afraid all I see is "tress" so it always makes me think of hair.

I do think it would often be mistaken for Teresa or Tessa. Not all the time, of course, but probably enough to be aggravating.

[poppy528]

I think I like Tessa or Tesla a bit more. I immediately thought Tressa Mae oooh la la! sry.