Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Vanessa
GirlEnglish· “invented by Jonathan Swift”
- Meaning
- invented by Jonathan Swift
- Origin
- English
- Pronunciation
- vuh-NEH-suh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #377
- US babies 2025
- 813
- Best rank
- #41 (1988)
- Peak year
- 1985
Meaning and origin of Vanessa
Vanessa is an English name that means “invented by Jonathan Swift”.
Vanessa was created by Jonathan Swift for his poem Cadenus and Vanessa, where it served as a private name for his friend Esther Vanhomrigh. Swift formed it from the first syllable of her surname and a form of Esther. The name later gave its name to a group of butterflies, including the red admiral. Vanessa gained wider use in the twentieth century, helped by the painter Vanessa Bell and the actress Vanessa Redgrave. It is elegant and a bit dramatic, familiar yet distinctive, and it travels well into Spanish, Italian and French. Nessa and Nessie are affectionate nicknames.
Popularity over time
Vanessa first appears in US Social Security records in 1900. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 76 different years, starting in 1950. Its best national rank was #41 in 1988, and the most babies received it in 1985, when 7,563 were named Vanessa. In 2025, 813 babies were named Vanessa, and it ranked #377 nationally. That is 53% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #4,929 in 1920, #943 in 1950, #69 in 1980, #62 in 2000, #107 in 2010, and #377 in 2025. Of the 261,622 US girls named Vanessa since records began, 25% were born in the 1980s, its biggest decade. The 1990s come next, with 57,920 babies. Since 2010, 26,001 more have been named Vanessa.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Alicia, Katie, Jenna, Lindsey, and Krystal.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Vanessa ranked highest in Hawaii, Nevada, and Florida.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | #211 | 5 |
| Nevada | #232 | 12 |
| Florida | #262 | 73 |
| California | #283 | 116 |
| Illinois | #289 | 38 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Vanessa is usually pronounced vuh-NEH-suh, with three syllables. It has seven letters, starts with V and ends in “-sa”.
Middle names for Vanessa
A few middle names that flow with Vanessa: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Vanessa
Similar names
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Lists that include Vanessa
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Vanessa mean?
Vanessa is an English name that means “invented by Jonathan Swift”.
What is the origin of the name Vanessa?
Vanessa has English roots. Vanessa was created by Jonathan Swift for his poem Cadenus and Vanessa, where it served as a private name for his friend Esther Vanhomrigh.
Is Vanessa a popular name?
Yes. Vanessa ranked #377 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Vanessa a boy or girl name?
Vanessa is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Vanessa?
Vanessa is usually pronounced vuh-NEH-suh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings