Tess is typically a diminutive form of the names Theresa or Tessa. However, it can also be a nickname for other names such as Esther, Estelle, Estella, and Celeste or Celestine. Some people have even used it as a nickname for Elizabeth. Despite not being as popular as some other names, Tess has been portrayed in literature and on-screen throughout the decades. Some famous people with the name Tess include Tess Rafferty, an American writer, comedian, and actress, and Tess Taylor, an American poet, academic, and CNN contributor.