Tess
Say it: TESS/tɛs/
GirlMeans from Teresa, whose meaning is uncertain4 letters1 syllable
#148
in Ireland (2025)
#149 with spellings combined
31
babies in 2025
#133
best rank (2021)
585
babies since 1990
Up 61
10-year rank change
Tess through the years
Compare with another name →Show the numbers
| Year | Babies (girls) | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 31 | #149 |
| 2024 | 31 | #149 |
| 2023 | 29 | #166 |
| 2022 | 39 | #137 |
| 2021 | 39 | #133 |
| 2020 | 32 | #155 |
| 2019 | 36 | #152 |
| 2018 | 32 | #165 |
| 2017 | 31 | #170 |
| 2016 | 31 | #176 |
| 2015 | 25 | #210 |
| 2014 | 17 | #291 |
| 2013 | 27 | #207 |
| 2012 | 20 | #251 |
| 2011 | 18 | #285 |
| 2010 | 22 | #245 |
| 2009 | 23 | #232 |
| 2008 | 21 | #251 |
| 2007 | 13 | #327 |
| 2006 | 16 | #260 |
| 2005 | 12 | #300 |
| 2004 | 7 | #414 |
| 2003 | 5 | #490 |
| 2002 | 4 | #512 |
| 2001 | 7 | #369 |
| 2000 | 3 | #536 |
| 1999 | 3 | #527 |
| 1997 | 5 | #440 |
| 1995 | 3 | #516 |
| 1990 | 3 | #517 |
Source: CSO, Irish Babies' Names (VSA50, VSA60), CC BY 4.0.
★ What does Tess mean?
From Teresa, whose meaning is uncertain
English, a short form of Teresa or Tessa, and occasionally of Esther.
Say it right
TESS
The story of Tess
Tess is a short form of Teresa, or Theresa, and of Tessa. Now and then it has also been used for Esther or Hester. The origin of Teresa itself is uncertain. No explanation of it has been widely accepted.
The best-known Tess is the heroine of Thomas Hardy’s novel Tess of the d’Urbervilles, published in 1891.
Tess first reached the CSO list in 1990 and has grown slowly since. Its best year was 2021, when 39 girls were named Tess and it reached number 133. In 2025, 31 girls were given it. It is growing in Northern Ireland too, where it reached 154th in 2025, its highest place there. The CSO counts Tessa and Teresa separately.
Say it differently where you're from, or spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Sources
- Wiktionary: Tess (English proper noun)
- Wikipedia: Tess (given name)
- CSO VSA60, Girls Names in Ireland with 3 or More Occurrences
At a glance
Similar names
Sibling ideas
Spellings counted here
| Spelling | 2025 | All years |
|---|---|---|
| Tess | 31 | 585 |
In Northern Ireland
#154 in 2025 with 12 babies. Best rank #154 (2025); 167 babies since 1997.
Source: NISRA, Open Government Licence.