Tess
Tess is a girl's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
To harvest or late summer; derived from Theresa.
Origin and history
Tess originated as a English diminutive of Theresa, which is believed to derive from the Greek island of Therasia or the word for harvest. Historically used as a standalone name in English-speaking regions, it carries a classic yet relaxed appeal. In the United States, it remains a recognized and steady choice, though less common than its shorter variant Tessa.
Popularity in the United States
14,770 babies in the United States have been named Tess since 1880. It ranks #1289 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1357.
States where it is most popular
- CA (13.5 %)
- NY (9.2 %)
- MA (6.8 %)
- IL (6.7 %)
- TX (6.5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 6 |
| 1890-1900 | 38 |
| 1900-1910 | 83 |
| 1910-1920 | 155 |
| 1920-1930 | 128 |
| 1930-1940 | 37 |
| 1940-1950 | 46 |
| 1950-1960 | 89 |
| 1960-1970 | 361 |
| 1970-1980 | 423 |
| 1980-1990 | 1,707 |
| 1990-2000 | 4,559 |
| 2000-2010 | 4,024 |
| 2010-2019 | 2,345 |
| 2020-2029 | 769 |
Famous people named Tess
- Tess Harper: Actress
- Tess Gerritsen: Author, Physician
- Tess Gaerthé: Singer, Actress
Fun facts
- The name gained major literary renown as the title character in Thomas Hardy's 1891 novel Tess of the d'Urbervilles.
- Originally a pet form of Theresa, Tess has been registered as an independent given name in the U.S. since the late 19th century.