I don't really like Jessalee - it doesn't seem to have much substance to it. It doesn't work for me as a long name for '
Jessie' because it sounds like a pet name itself. But it's not terrible and I certainly prefer it to Jessiah, which has the form of a Hebrew *male* name so is off-putting to me (not to mention the teasing potential - "Jessiah the Messiah" - I don't think so lol!).
I really like someone else's suggestion of
Jessenia - unusual, feminine and with a pretty meaning. One of the other suggestions, Jessamy, is also nice - it's another form of
Jasmine but it's different enough not to clash with your friend's daughter's name.
♦ Chrisell ♦
All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us. - J.R.R. Tolkien.