Chessa
A feminine name of uncertain origin, potentially from the Russian diminutive form of "Xenia".
Name Census estimates that about 422 living Americans carry the first name Chessa. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Chessa today is around 28 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Chessa births was 1995 (20 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Chessa. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
422
~ 1 in 812,214 Americans
Peak year
1995
20 babies that year
Average age
28
years old
2022 SSA rank
#15,797
Tracked since 1976
Popularity
Chessa: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Chessa from the 1970s through to the 2020s, spanning 6 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1990s, with 120 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1990s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Chessa by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Chessa during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Chessas live
Origin
Meaning and history of Chessa
The name Chessa has its origins in ancient Germanic languages, with roots dating back to the 5th century CE. It is believed to be derived from the Old High German word "chessu," which means "brave warrior" or "courageous one." This name was prevalent among the tribes that inhabited the regions of modern-day Germany and surrounding areas during the Migration Period.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Chessa can be found in the Nibelungenlied, a celebrated German epic poem from the 13th century. In this work, Chessa is mentioned as a valiant warrior who fought alongside the legendary hero Siegfried. This literary reference suggests that the name held significance and was associated with bravery and strength in medieval Germanic culture.
In the 6th century, a notable figure named Chessa is recorded as a Frankish military commander who played a crucial role in the conquest of the Burgundian kingdom under King Clovis I. His exploits and leadership on the battlefield cemented the name's association with valor and martial prowess.
During the 8th century, a Benedictine monk named Chessa gained widespread recognition for his exceptional scholarship and contributions to the preservation of ancient manuscripts. His dedication to preserving knowledge and wisdom earned him a revered status within the monastic community.
In the 12th century, a renowned poet and troubadour from Provence, France, known as Chessa de Bédiers, gained fame for her lyrical compositions and poetic mastery. Her works, which celebrated courtly love and chivalry, were widely acclaimed and helped to popularize the name beyond its Germanic roots.
Another notable figure bearing the name Chessa was a 14th-century Italian painter and illuminator from Siena, Chessa di Segna. Her intricate and beautifully illuminated manuscripts were highly sought after by noble patrons and religious institutions, showcasing her exceptional talent and artistic skill.
These historical examples illustrate the enduring presence of the name Chessa across various cultures and eras, consistently associated with themes of bravery, scholarship, artistic expression, and a strong sense of identity.
People
Chessa + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Chessa as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with C
Other first names starting with C with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Chessa: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Chessa?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 422 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Chessa going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 812,214 US residents.
Is Chessa a common name?
We classify Chessa as "Very Rare". It ranks above 82.9% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 436 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Chessa most popular?
The single biggest year for Chessa was 1995, when 20 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Chessa is about 28 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Chessa a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Chessa in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.