Tess/Tessa

[kmini]

Hi

DH and I have been very set on Tess (Tessa on BC) for quite some time. We like that its classic (& hopefully elegant) but underused.

My only reservation all along has been quite a peculiar one. My DF is Terry/Terence. He is called by his nickname Tez/Tezza a lot. He is not a rough or brash man, so he get's away with it not seeming trashy, it more suits his cheeky personality. Nonetheless, it is not the most fabulous of names.

Would you immediately think that Tess/Tessa is therefore named after her grandfather's nickname.

I like Tessa and I think there is nothing wrong with naming a baby after someone else you love, like a grandfather. I'm sure he will be very flattered, even if it isn't the reason you want to name your girl Tessa.

I would think it was short for Teresa.

It's a lovely name. I'd probably assume it's come fro
Grandad's name.

I love Tess and Tessa. I wouldn't associate with his name.

I wanted this so much but DH wasn't keen, I am still a little bitter. I don't think you will get Tez/Tezza, those are the kind of nicknames boys use. Yes it was originally short for Teresa but Tess of the D'ubervilles was published over 100 years ago and I think it has been a stand alone name in its own right for even longer.

Some people probably will think it's after her grandfather and some won't make the connection at all.

Does it matter if people think you chose it for that reason? Will it cause upset?

Thank you for your comments. My concerns are kind of mixed.

Firstly, I don't view the nickname Tez as a particularly 'classy' name and I would not like anyone to have a similar view of my DD's name. I want her name to seem classic, simple and elegant.

I would worry a little that I am naming her a name similar to her grandfather, in case it seemed like I was favouring my side of the family rather than DH. In addition, my brother's and sisters will probably killl me for naming her after my father becuase it would give him a rather big head (you would have to know my Dad to understand this I suppose)!!

I think it's a great name!

I know a Teresa who is occasionally called Tessa (and also Terry), so I associate Tess/Teresa/Terry with the name Terence/Terry but not the nickname Tezza in particular.

I think Tess and Tessa are both lovely, simple, appealing names but they are very similar in sound (though not feel) to Tez/Tezza.

If you love it I would go for it and just be prepared to make it clear that it is definitely not after her grandfather's nickname.

I wouldn't make the connection. Your father's friends might think it is, but they may not. Either way, her name will inevitably be her own.

A great name, love it.

I would assume that her full name was Theresa and that Tess/Tessa was a nickname/pet name.

I don't think I'd associate it with your father's name.

I certainly wouldn't make the connection.

BTW - I am actually a Tess in real life - and I'm "just" I'm a Tess. Not even a Tessa.

Great name!