Tessa Thompson

Tessa Thompson, a Yale University Linguistics graduate, has been a valuable contributor to our blog section since 2018. With over a decade of experience in onomastics, Tessa specializes in uncovering the origins and meanings behind names from various cultures. Her previous work includes collaborating with top websites and consulting for expectant parents. When she's not researching names, Tessa enjoys traveling and learning about different naming traditions worldwide.

January 2, 2026
Tessa Thompson
Names and Meanings

250 Beautiful Japanese Girl Names & Their Meanings

Choosing a name for your baby girl can feel overwhelming. You want something meaningful, pretty, and memorable. Japanese girl names offer all three, combining beautiful sounds with meaningful traditions....

January 2, 2026
Tessa Thompson
Names and Meanings

100 Spanish Last Names With Meanings

Ever wondered why so many people share surnames like García or Rodríguez? Spanish last names carry stories of ancient trades, family lineages, and geographic roots that stretch back centuries....

October 10, 2025
Tessa Thompson
Names and Meanings

Extinct surnames: Last Names Once Used, Now Gone for Good

Some last names that once belonged to families have completely disappeared. You might be surprised at how often this happens. I’ve often wondered why certain surnames vanish, how they...

what is the world longest surname records inside

October 10, 2025
Tessa Thompson
Names and Meanings

What is the World’s Longest Surname: Records Inside

I bet you’ve wondered at some point, what is the world’s longest surname? Records inside, you’ll finally get the answer. One man, Hubert Blaine Wolfeschlegelsteinhausenbergerdorff Sr., carried a surname...

September 21, 2025
Tessa Thompson
Names and Meanings

How to Create Fun Nicknames: Simple Steps and 55 Ideas

When I think about nicknames, I always see them as a fun way to show personality. You probably feel the same, wanting something that makes you stand out, but...

September 21, 2025
Tessa Thompson
Names and Meanings

Is Luca a Unisex Name: Meaning, Use and Culture Worldwide

You’re probably here because Luca caught your attention, maybe you heard it at the playground, saw it on a baby announcement, or it’s sitting pretty on your shortlist. And...

September 21, 2025
Tessa Thompson
Names and Meanings

Medieval surnames: Did People Use Family Names in 1300s

Medieval Surnames: Did People Use Family Names in the 13th Century? The answer is yes, but not in a simple or consistent way. By this time, surnames were becoming...

September 21, 2025
Tessa Thompson
Names and Meanings

How Family Names Work in Italy: Laws and Traditions

Have you ever wondered why your Italian friend’s last name sounds like a color, a job, or even a place? Or noticed those lovely hyphenated surnames that seem to...

September 21, 2025
Tessa Thompson
Names and Meanings

What is the Japanese Name for Trickster and Joker?

Have you ever come across the idea of a clever trickster in stories and wondered how that translates into Japanese? You might also think about the Joker figure, the...

September 21, 2025
Tessa Thompson
Names and Meanings

How to Spot and Verify an Italian Family Name Today

Is your last name secretly Italian? You’ve probably wondered about this, haven’t you? Maybe you’re scrolling through Italian restaurant menus thinking “That sounds like my name,” or you’ve caught...