It makes choosing a middle name so much easier, but I'm just not sure b/c Tessa is not a name that I immediately loved - it is really growing on me though. Either way, she would just go by Tess.
Ava Caroline 8.27.07 I Charlotte Grace 5.18.09 I Lila Katherine 1.20.11

Re: Should I just use Tessa?
For some reason when I see Tessa, I think of Contessa. I don't know why.
NMS, but I think personally I love having a longer name that can be shortened. That is why Eli is really Elijah, even though everyone calls him Eli.
Elijah Matthew - 5/3/07 ~ Adalyn Rosemary - 3/23/11
*Photos by Kacy Cierley*
Photos courtesy of Jen Rose Photography
Also thought I would throw this out there...
I looked into it on the baby name websites and Tess is not a nickname for anything, it actually is its own name. Tessa and Tess are actually of two completely different origins (Tessa = Greek and Tess = English).
So, I'm not necessarily concerned about her having a formal name and still prefer Tess to Tessa. The middle name is what is throwing me off though, but not sure if that is a good reason to change her first name completely. I really like the flow of several names with Tessa though (Tessa Claire, Tessa Madeline). As far as Tess on its own, I think we've narrowed it down to Tess Elisabeth and Tess Olivia, but have added Tess Emily and Tess Madeline, and are revisiting the Tess Josephine suggestion - lol!
However, we have pretty much eliminated Charlotte. I still love it, but DH is basically stuck on Tess, so that helps me with my indecision.
That is another reason I'm not crazy about going with Tessa. I really don't like the idea of being able to change a name. I'm not sure if I'd want her to choose to use Tessa since Tess is the name I want to give her. I know, I'm probably be way too obsessive (and annoying) about this!
Personally I like Tessa better than Tess...it's nice that it gives her the option too if she should grow up and decide she likes Tessa better.
ETA: Kessler, I posted this before I saw your last two posts :-)
Mason Louise
Kessler, if Tess/Tessa/Charlotte doesn't work out, you could also go with Jermajesty. Lol.