Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Tess
GirlEnglish, Greek· “pet form of Theresa”
- Meaning
- pet form of Theresa
- Origin
- English, Greek
- Pronunciation
- TEHS
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #1,794
- US babies 2025
- 113
- Best rank
- #467 (1992)
- Peak year
- 1992
Meaning and origin of Tess
Tess is an English and Greek name that is usually said to mean “pet form of Theresa”.
Tess is a short form of Theresa, a name of uncertain Greek origin, sometimes linked to a word for harvesting. It became famous through Thomas Hardy's novel Tess of the d'Urbervilles, whose heroine is one of the most memorable characters in English fiction. Tess has been used on its own for generations and feels crisp, gentle and a little literary. It is short, easy to spell and works in many languages. Tessa is a longer variant, and Tess pairs well with longer middle names.
Popularity over time
Tess first appears in US Social Security records in 1889. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 31 different years, starting in 1983. Its best national rank was #467 in 1992, the same year it reached its highest count of 529 babies. In 2025, 113 babies were named Tess, and it ranked #1,794 nationally. That is 51% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #2,068 in 1920, #5,245 in 1950, #5,522 in 1980, #551 in 2000, #810 in 2010, and #1,794 in 2025. Of the 14,770 US girls named Tess since records began, 31% were born in the 1990s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 4,024 babies. Since 2010, 3,114 more have been named Tess.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Mariela, Susana, Desirae, Breanne, and Moriah.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Tess ranked highest in Massachusetts, Wisconsin, and Utah.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | #679 | 8 |
| Wisconsin | #780 | 6 |
| Utah | #826 | 5 |
| Virginia | #1172 | 6 |
| Illinois | #1229 | 7 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Tess is usually pronounced TEHS, with one syllable. It has four letters, starts with T and ends in “-ss”.
Middle names for Tess
A few middle names that flow with Tess: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Tess
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Lists that include Tess
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Tess mean?
Tess is an English and Greek name that is usually said to mean “pet form of Theresa”.
What is the origin of the name Tess?
Tess has English and Greek roots. Tess is a short form of Theresa, a name of uncertain Greek origin, sometimes linked to a word for harvesting.
Is Tess a popular name?
Not especially. Tess ranked #1,794 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Tess a boy or girl name?
Tess is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Tess?
Tess is usually pronounced TEHS. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings