I was looking at a friend’s pictures on Facebook this evening and one of their friends had commented on it saying something about their daughter, Contessa, playing with my friend’s child. I immediately fell in love with the sound of Contessa! I’ve always really liked [name_f]Tessa[/name_f], but felt it sounds like more of a nickname or shortening of a name. Contessa feels so much more substantial to me. But is it usable? I Googled it and it’s not really considered a name. It’s Italian for a female count. Thoughts?
It sounds much too formal. It does have a pleasant sound, but it’s not usable. I think of the Barefoot Contessa, and snobbish aristocrats.
I like it and I love that you are thinking of it as a more formal name for [name_f]Tessa[/name_f].
Honestly I did think of ‘the barefoot Contessa’ who has popularized the title (though I knew it was a female count before).
I would say definately use it if it weren’t for the culinary association. I like it and think it is usable but I may wait for the other responses to see how strong the association is.
I had never heard of The Barefoot Contessa until I Googled Contessa this evening, but that doesn’t necessarily mean anything. I don’t even own a TV. lol And I’m not expecting, but I do often help friends find names for their babies. I wouldn’t want to steer anyone in the wrong direction. 
No one else is going to chime in here? I was really hoping for more than two opinions. Thanks to the ladies that did comment!
It does have a lovely sound to it, and the nn [name_f]Tess[/name_f] or [name_f]Tessa[/name_f] are great. However, I am not very fond of titles as named. In my opinion, using the name Contessa is like naming your daughter [name_f]Princess[/name_f] or [name_f]Queen[/name_f]. I would just stick with [name_f]Tess[/name_f] or [name_f]Tessa[/name_f].
Contessa isn’t a name, it’s a title. I’m not a fan of titles as names.
If you want a more formal name for [name_f]Tessa[/name_f], what about [name_f]Theresa[/name_f]? [name_f]Theresa[/name_f] is where [name_f]Tessa[/name_f] originates.
Isn’t that a title?
I’m not fond of title-names. I prefer the use of [name_f]Theresa[/name_f], nn [name_f]Tess[/name_f]/[name_f]Tessa[/name_f], or just [name_f]Tess[/name_f]/[name_f]Tessa[/name_f].
OK. Thanks, ladies. I guess it’s probably not usable. I find that a shame since I’m not fond of [name_f]Theresa[/name_f] at all. :-/
[name_f]Quintessa[/name_f] would be a quirky alternative to Contessa and it would avoid the title issue.
I like [name_f]Quintessa[/name_f] in theory, but I doubt I would ever actually use it or recommend it to someone. Does [name_f]Tess[/name_f] work as a nn for [name_f]Temperance[/name_f]?
My name is [name_f]Tressa[/name_f], and I had a friend who fondly called me Contessa.
I like the sound of it, but I don’t like that it’s a title. I certainly do like it better than most other title names though.
I agree about the title thing. It has a charming sound, and several sweet nns ([name_u]Connie[/name_u], [name_f]Tess[/name_f]/[name_f]Tessa[/name_f]… she could probably pull Estey out of it, too), but it sounds just as title-ey as [name_m]Prince[/name_m], [name_m]King[/name_m], [name_m]Count[/name_m], or Viscount would. There’s also [name_f]Quintessa[/name_f]?
Honestly, though, I do like it. I think [name_m]Benton[/name_m], [name_f]Arwen[/name_f], and Contessa sound cool together.
I like [name_f]Tessa[/name_f] but Contessa reminds me of a snobby woman.
I have heard of a child named Contessa before. By an Hispanic family.
I don’t hate it, but it is a bit like naming a child [name_m]Duke[/name_m], [name_m]Prince[/name_m], [name_m]Deacon[/name_m], etc. I wouldn’t say it’s unusable, but it depends on your location.
[name_m]How[/name_m] about [name_f]Esther[/name_f] nn [name_f]Tess[/name_f] instead?
I love that suggestion! Thank you!
I fell in love with the name [name_f]Contessa[/name_f] as a child after watching the movie [name_u]Ever[/name_u] After when [name_u]Drew[/name_u] Barrymore’s character introduces herself to [name_m]Prince[/name_m] [name_m]Henry[/name_m] as “[name_f]Countess[/name_f] [name_f]Nicole[/name_f] de Lancre”. It sounded so beautiful coming out of her mouth. It wasn’t until years later that I realized what I thought was her first name was a title, haha. I still think [name_f]Contessa[/name_f] is beautiful, especially as a route for nn [name_f]Tess[/name_f], but maybe not so usable anymore. It was on my list for a while, though!
I love the [name_f]Esther[/name_f] & [name_f]Quintessa[/name_f] suggestions! At first read, I thought the sound was nice despite the fancy title aspect, but after giving it more thought the Cont beginning is problematic for me as it could result in vulgar teasing.
I think you could get to [name_f]Tess[/name_f] with a name like T____ [name_f]Agnes[/name_f] as well, a kind of smoosh nickname that opens up your options.
[name_f]Thais[/name_f] is lovely. I say [name_m]Tah[/name_m]-ees, not far from a softer [name_f]Therese[/name_f] and not far from a more romantic [name_f]Tess[/name_f].
What about [name_f]Thessaly[/name_f] with nn [name_f]Tessa[/name_f]?