Vanessa Name Meaning

The name Vanessa is a girl’s name of Welsh origin, meaning “butterfly.”

Origins of the Name Vanessa

Vanessa is the creation of author Jonathan Swift, who came up with the name for a character in his 1726 poem “Cadenus and Vanessa.” In the poem, Vanessa is a young woman who is courted by the much older Cadenus. The poem was a hit and the name Vanessa quickly spread like wildfire.

Popularity of the Name Vanessa

The name Vanessa made its way across the pond to America, where it quickly gained popularity in the early 20th century. In fact, it was one of the top 100 names for girls in the United States from 1924 to 1944. It’s not hard to see why the name was so well-received: it’s elegant, romantic, and has a certain je ne sais quoi.

But the name Vanessa isn’t just popular in America – it’s a favorite all over the world. From Australia to France to South Africa, you’ll find Vanessas in all corners of the globe. And it’s not just humans who are fans of the name – there’s even a butterfly species called Vanessa atalanta (also known as the Red Admiral).

Famous Vanessas

There have been plenty of notable Vanessas throughout history, including:

  • Vanessa Redgrave: a British actress and political activist who has been nominated for multiple Academy Awards
  • Vanessa Williams: an American singer and actress who was the first African American woman to win the Miss America pageant (although she was later dethroned, but that’s another story)
  • Vanessa Hudgens: an American actress and singer who rose to fame starring in the High School Musical franchise
  • Vanessa Paradis: French singer and actress who is the former partner of Johnny Depp.

Final Thoughts on the Name Vanessa

In conclusion, the name Vanessa is a beautiful and elegant name with a rich history and global appeal. Whether you’re a butterfly enthusiast or just looking for a name with a certain je ne sais quoi, Vanessa is definitely worth considering. And who knows, you might just end up raising a future Vanessa Redgrave or Vanessa Williams.

Infographic of Vanessa name meaning, which is Vanessa is an invented name of English origins.
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Vanessa Name Popularity

How popular is the name Vanessa? Here’s everything we know.

Year Rank # Births % Births
1910 — 0 0%
1911 — 0 0%
1912 — 0 0%
1913 — 0 0%
1914 — 0 0%
1915 — 0 0%
1916 — 0 0%
1917 — 0 0%
1918 — 0 0%
1919 — 0 0%
1920 — 0 0%
1921 — 0 0%
1922 — 0 0%
1923 — 0 0%
1924 — 0 0%
1925 — 0 0%
1926 — 0 0%
1927 — 0 0%
1928 — 0 0%
1929 — 0 0%
1930 — 0 0%
1931 — 0 0%
1932 — 0 0%
1933 — 0 0%
1934 — 0 0%
1935 1,590 5 0.0005%
1936 — 0 0%
1937 — 0 0%
1938 — 0 0%
1939 — 0 0%
1940 — 0 0%
1941 — 0 0%
1942 — 0 0%
1943 — 0 0%
1944 — 0 0%
1945 — 0 0%
1946 — 0 0%
1947 1,176 24 0.0014%
1948 1,053 32 0.002%
1949 1,306 16 0.001%
1950 1,007 41 0.0025%
1951 640 136 0.008%
1952 306 662 0.0379%
1953 164 1,980 0.1119%
1954 142 2,619 0.1433%
1955 140 2,676 0.1455%
1956 145 2,606 0.138%
1957 161 2,358 0.1225%
1958 149 2,719 0.1439%
1959 140 3,099 0.1631%
1960 154 2,698 0.1424%
1961 153 2,737 0.145%
1962 175 2,228 0.1214%
1963 188 2,007 0.1118%
1964 185 2,032 0.1154%
1965 203 1,613 0.0986%
1966 197 1,611 0.1032%
1967 170 1,852 0.122%
1968 180 1,784 0.1188%
1969 147 2,211 0.1435%
1970 138 2,567 0.1613%
1971 129 2,639 0.1756%
1972 134 2,257 0.1657%
1973 133 2,139 0.165%
1974 122 2,332 0.1794%
1975 115 2,424 0.1886%
1976 106 2,451 0.1902%
1977 90 3,200 0.2374%
1978 76 3,847 0.2861%
1979 75 4,097 0.2906%
1980 69 4,427 0.3028%
1981 62 4,747 0.3229%
1982 49 6,150 0.4116%
1983 49 6,383 0.4325%
1984 45 7,150 0.4806%
1985 42 7,566 0.4985%
1986 43 7,467 0.4947%
1987 43 7,344 0.4813%
1988 41 7,514 0.4822%
1989 50 6,955 0.431%
1990 56 6,401 0.3862%
1991 56 5,920 0.3632%
1992 55 6,072 0.3804%
1993 55 5,881 0.3772%
1994 59 5,539 0.3609%
1995 63 5,398 0.3582%
1996 60 5,735 0.383%
1997 54 5,788 0.3913%
1998 52 5,818 0.3887%
1999 57 5,276 0.3523%
2000 62 5,126 0.3356%
2001 64 4,666 0.3097%
2002 68 4,445 0.2966%
2003 70 4,346 0.2857%
2004 75 4,340 0.2847%
2005 79 4,085 0.2672%
2006 79 4,159 0.2656%
2007 71 4,435 0.2811%
2008 79 4,018 0.26%
2009 91 3,510 0.2348%
2010 107 2,868 0.199%
2011 122 2,595 0.1821%
2012 124 2,520 0.1768%
2013 148 2,085 0.1464%
2014 171 1,891 0.1298%
2015 187 1,686 0.1159%
2016 193 1,630 0.1131%
2017 200 1,475 0.1057%
2018 224 1,337 0.0973%
2019 264 1,188 0.0878%
2020 209 1,324 0.104%
2021 250 1,120 0.0916%
2022 310 993 0.0753%
2023 304 990 0.0765%

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Maine (ME)

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Minnesota (MN)

Missouri (MO)

Mississippi (MS)

Montana (MT)

North Carolina (NC)

North Dakota (ND)

Nebraska (NE)

New Hampshire (NH)

New Jersey (NJ)

New Mexico (NM)

Nevada (NV)

New York (NY)

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Wyoming (WY)

Data via SSA.gov.

Names Like Vanessa

If you like Vanessa, you’ll love these other names like Vanessa.

What names are diminutives of Vanessa?

A diminutive is a name that’s like Vanessa sounds, you might also like these names that sound like Vanessa, but shorter.

Name Meaning Origin Popularity Other Gender
Van

Of

Danish

Vanny

A diminutive form of Vanessa.

What names are variants of Vanessa?

Mix it up with these names that are a variation of the name Vanessa.

Name Meaning Origin Popularity Other Gender
Jenessa
Nessa

Pure, holy; butterfly

Greek

Nessie

Pure

Scottish

Nessy

Pure, holy; butterfly

Greek

Van

Of

Danish

Vanassa

Butterfly

Greek

Vaneeta

Butterfly

Greek

Vanesa

Butterfly

Greek

Vanesha

Butterfly

Greek

Vaneshia

Butterfly

Greek

Vanesia

Butterfly

Greek

Vanesse

Butterfly

Greek

Vanessia

Butterfly

Greek

Vanetta

Butterfly; golden

Greek

Vaneza

Butterfly

Greek

Vania

Brings good news

Latin

Vaniece

Butterfly

Greek

Vaniessa

Butterfly

Greek

Vanija

Butterfly

Greek

Vanisa

Butterfly

Greek

Vanissa

Butterfly

Greek

Vanita

Woman

Indian (Sanskrit)

Vanna

Golden

Asian

Vannaleigh

Butterfly

Greek

Vannesa

Butterfly

Greek

Vannessa

Butterfly

Greek

Vannetta

Butterfly

Greek

Vanneza

Butterfly

Greek

Vannie

Butterfly

Greek

Vanya

God is gracious; butterfly; brings good news

Latin

Varnessa

Butterfly

Greek

Venesa

Butterfly

Greek

Venesha

Butterfly

Greek

Venessa

Butterfly

Greek

Venesse

Butterfly

Greek

Venessea

Butterfly

Greek

Venetta

Butterfly

Latin

Veniesa

Butterfly

Greek

Venisha

Butterfly

Greek

Venishia

Butterfly

Greek

Venna

Butterfly

Greek

Vennesa

Butterfly

Greek

Vennessa

Butterfly

Greek

Vennisa

Butterfly

Greek

Vinesha

Butterfly

Greek

Vinessa

Butterfly

Greek

Vinisha

Butterfly

Greek

Vonessa

Butterfly

Greek

Vonesse

Butterfly

Greek

Vonnessa

Butterfly

Greek

What names sound like Vanessa?

If you like how Vanessa sounds, you might also like these names that sound like Vanessa.

Name Meaning Origin Popularity Other Gender
Vanecia

Latin

Venecia

Latin

Venezia

Latin

Venusa

Latin

What names are similar to Vanessa?

Find a name that’s like Vanessa, but just a little bit different.

Name Meaning Origin Popularity Other Gender
Janessa

American

Nissa

To test

Hebrew

Lists With Vanessa

Find inspiration in these baby girl name lists featuring the name Vanessa.

8 Comments

  1. but just remember even if you are not named Vanessa you name is special and will always have a special meaning in this world. Like you

    Reply

  2. I knew that my name had a beautiful meaning but I id not know that it was this beautiful this was just music to my ears. Everyone named Vanessa I ensure you that you are strong and powerful and light, friendly, beautiful and sensitive but that is what makes us Vanessa. So be proud. just a lil pep talk to my Nessies.

    Reply

    • Very true we must be strong and fly like butterfly ?

      Reply

      • Vanessa I agree that’s y I keep interacting with everyone but as a Vanesa I have a strong feeling of something

        Reply

  3. I hadn’t considered it until I saw it in a dream. It was engraved on a gold plaque in all caps. It means “butterfly.” At first, I thought that was superficial, but after thinking about it, I realized that the butterfly is a symbol of the Resurrection of Christ because of the way they go dormant for a time, go through transformation, and emerge a beautiful new creature. I hope she doesn’t get the nickname, “Nessie,” as associated with the Loch Ness Monster.

    Reply

  4. Wow, as popular as i thought my name to be. Nobody has any thoughts on it. For the record. I know so many Vanessa’s, it is kinda ridiculous. But I love my name. I think it is a beautiful name. My father named me. And my mom gave me my middle. And my Nina also gave me a middle name. My name is Vanessa Linda “after my moms middle name” and Savannah’s which I was given at my baptism. Vanessa Linda savannah Sisneros. Which is a huge name.

    Reply

  5. I named my daughter after my late mother. Her middle name was Vanessa. It’s a beautiful strong name, traditional and more than anything. It is a piece of my mother earth side for the grand daughter she never met, well except in heaven.

    Reply

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