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Baby names

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Original poster

Why is Tess/Tessa not popular?

65 replies

kmini · 15/05/2017 05:52

Just that. DH and I have been set on Tess for many years if we have a daughter (8 wks to go till Dc2). We think it's classic, strong but still feminine.

Are we missing something? I know some will say it's a dog's name or others the Two Ton Tess nn. Anything that puts you off?

Any comments appreciated.

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Notmyrealname85 · 15/05/2017 23:42

Beautiful name. Does make me think of the novel so I suppose a bit of sadness comes with it

zzzzz · 15/05/2017 23:37

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Mrsknackered · 15/05/2017 23:33

I love Tess. Never really thought about it before but I've just said it out loud and love it! I like Tessie too.
Not so much Tessa.
My dad knows a Contessa, think she's NN Tess

BathshebaKnickerStickers · 15/05/2017 22:57

I have a 7 yo Tess and everyone loves her name....!!!

She is fab

DramaAlpaca · 15/05/2017 22:52

I like Tess very much, but not Tessa which sounds very 70s to me.

Tempranillo · 15/05/2017 22:09

It can be short for Esther too

JanuaryJuniper · 15/05/2017 20:39

I LOVE it but then I am going with Nell which has a similar feel to Tess/Tessa and I'm happy to use it as a stand alone birth cert name.

Susiethetortoiseshellcat · 15/05/2017 20:13

I love love love Tess but not keen on Tessa or Theresa. Surprised it's not more popular.

Youvegotafriendinme · 15/05/2017 19:11

I think tessa is a lovely name

Rainsbow · 15/05/2017 19:05

I know a Tess/a, she's 28, short for Tessia - unusual but love it.

spacecowboy99 · 15/05/2017 18:54

It's lovely. But I would also assume it's a nn for Theresa/Teresa.

Ketzele · 15/05/2017 18:25

I like both Tess and Tessa.

Sugarpiehoneyeye · 15/05/2017 18:19

I ❤️ Tess, it's beautiful.

YouWhatMate · 15/05/2017 15:31

I had to check on darkgreener and I thought it would be top 100 tbh. Top 200 at least, but it's down in the 600s!

I think it's fine OP. And your DD will likely not meet many others with her name, so that's great!

Sophronia · 15/05/2017 14:14

Not sure why it's not more popular. I know one age 27.

LizzieMacQueen · 15/05/2017 12:26

Was there not a character 'two tonne Tessa'?

JemimaPuddleDuckle · 15/05/2017 12:24

I think it's exactly as you say, classic, strong yet pretty. All the Tessas I know are really lovely and intelligent now that I think about it! I'd say if you and your DH love it, it doesn't matter what others think. Also great to find a lovely name that is known but not too popular.

Joeybee · 15/05/2017 09:31

I really like this name.
I do associate it with my Nannas dog...but that's a personal association. I think it's a lovely name that's totally underused.

MiniMaxi · 15/05/2017 09:27

I like it! Would assume it was nn for Theresa but doesn't have to be.

The nn for Elizabeth (one of many) is Bess, not Tess, surely?

Politician is Tessa Jowell, no?

Floggingmolly · 15/05/2017 09:27

Yes, it's definitely short for Teresa. Nice name.

Joinourclub · 15/05/2017 09:26

Lovely name.

newbian · 15/05/2017 09:24

I love Tessa but DH think it's horrible! I knew a few Tessas growing up and they were all sweet pretty girls.

SuperBeagle · 15/05/2017 09:23

Tess isn't a nickname for Elizabeth, surely? Hmm It's a nickname for Teresa.

SuperBeagle · 15/05/2017 09:23

I just don't like it.

My grandparents had a spaniel named Tess, but it doesn't automatically make me think "dog". I just don't like it/the sound of it. It sounds like it'd be a nickname in Australia, in the same way that Darren because Dazza and Sharon to Shazza... Tessa/Shazza/Dazza etc. all sound one and the same, to me.

QuietNameChange · 15/05/2017 08:59

I really like Tessa, even as a "standalone name". But Tess is too nickname-y for the bc imo.

I know a 2 yo "Tess" Theresa. I really like her name :)

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