Origin and Meaning of Tennis

The name is derived from the sport of tennis, which has its origins in an old French game.

Origin: French - The word 'tennis' comes from the French term 'tenez', which means 'take' or 'hold'. This term was used to indicate to an opponent that the ball was being served.

• Tennis was originally played in France as 'jeu de paume' in the late 12th century, which involved hitting a ball with the palm of the hand.
• The sport gained popularity in England and was standardized in the 19th century, leading to the formation of the modern game of lawn tennis.
• As a name, Tennis is quite rare and is predominantly used in contemporary times, often given to those with a passion for the sport.
• The name Tennis has seen intermittent usage, particularly among families involved in sports, but has not ranked highly in general popularity statistics.
• Related names or variations include Tennis-related terms like 'Tennison', though these are not commonly used as given names.