Tess is a feminine given name, typically used as a short form of Theresa. While primarily a diminutive, it stands independently as a name in its own right. The name is used in Dutch and English-speaking countries.EtymologyThe name Tess originates as a shortened form of Theresa. The root name Theresa has an uncertain etymology. It may be derived from the Spanish and Portuguese name Teresa, first recorded as Therasia in the 4th century, borne by the Spanish wife of Saint Paulinus of Nola. Possible origins include the Greek θέρος (theros) meaning "summer," the Greek θερίζω (therizo) meaning "to harvest," or the name of the Greek island of Therasia, part of Santorini. During the Middle Ages, the name was mainly confined to Spain and Portugal, but later spread due to the influence of Saint Teresa of Ávila and Queen Maria Theresa of Austria.Cultural SignificanceTess gained literary fame as the name of the tragic heroine in Thomas Hardy's novel Tess of the d'Urbervilles (1891). The novel's popularity cemented Tess as a widely recognized name beyond its original function as a nickname. The name also appears in Teresa, Tessa, among others.Notable BearersTess Daly (born 1969), British television presenterTess Gerritsen (born 1953), American novelistTess Harper (born 1950), American actressTess Holliday (born 1985), American model and bloggerTess Gallagher (born 1943), American writerTess Gaerthé (born 1991), Dutch singerTess Haubrich (born 1990), Australian actressTess has also been used as a pet form of names like Esther or Hester.Key FactsMeaning: summer, harvest (via Theresa)Origin: Dutch, English (diminutive of Theresa)Type: Short formUsage Regions: Netherlands, English-speaking world