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At a Glance: Name: Tess – Origin: uncertain (typically a diminutive of Theresa/Tessa, sometimes of Esther/Hester) – Gender: primarily used for girls – Pronunciation: TESS
Tess is a short, simple name that's most often used as a nickname for Theresa or Tessa, and sometimes for Esther or Hester — its exact origin isn't settled. You may see claims that Tess means 'harvest' or 'reaper,' but that's not an established meaning for the name itself; it comes from an unconfirmed folk link to Theresa, whose own Greek origin is disputed. If you're drawn to Tess, it's worth choosing it for its sound and simplicity rather than for a specific meaning.
Meaning & Origin of Tess
Origin: uncertain (typically a diminutive of Theresa/Tessa, sometimes of Esther/Hester).
A common claim: Tess is sometimes said to mean 'harvest' or 'reaper.' Actually: This isn't an established meaning for Tess itself — it comes from treating Tess as short for Theresa, whose own Greek origin is disputed.
Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.
How to Pronounce Tess
Phonetic: TESS IPA: /tɛs/
Popularity of Tess
Tess reached its high point in 1992 at #467, with 529 babies given the name that year. By 2024 it had fallen to #1784, with just 113 babies named Tess, based on Social Security data spanning 1889-2024.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration birth-name data, 1889–2024.
Make Tess Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Tess, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
Names With a Similar Story
Derived from shared style, era, and origin data (or, for names we have no style data for, a similar Social Security popularity trajectory) — not a hand-picked list.
FAQ
What does the name Tess mean?
Tess is sometimes said to mean ‘harvest’ or ‘reaper.’ This isn’t an established meaning for Tess itself — it comes from treating Tess as short for Theresa, whose own Greek origin is disputed.
How do you pronounce Tess?
Tess is pronounced TESS (IPA: /tɛs/).
Is Tess a popular name right now?
Tess peaked at #467 in 1992 and is ranked #1784 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1889–2024.)
📊 How popular is Tess? See the full popularity history, trend data, and ranking since 1880 with our free Baby Name Popularity Checker.
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