Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Venessa
GirlAmerican (modern coinage), English· “variant of Vanessa”
- Meaning
- variant of Vanessa
- Origin
- American (modern coinage), English
- Pronunciation
- vuh-NEH-suh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- Unranked
- US babies 2025
- 0
- Best rank
- #697 (1984)
- Peak year
- 1984
Meaning and origin of Venessa
Venessa is an American (modern coinage) and English name that is usually said to mean “variant of Vanessa”.
Venessa is a spelling of Vanessa, a name invented by the writer Jonathan Swift for his poem Cadenus and Vanessa. He formed it from Van, the first syllable of Esther Vanhomrigh's surname, and Essa, a pet form of Esther. The name later became the name of a butterfly genus and a popular English given name. Venessa is said vuh-NEH-suh. Nessa and Vee are easy nicknames. The e spelling is a small change from the familiar form.
Popularity over time
Venessa first appears in US Social Security records in 1922. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 13 different years, starting in 1976. Its best national rank was #697 in 1984, the same year it reached its highest count of 239 babies. It did not appear in the 2025 data, which only lists names given to at least five babies.
Its national rank moved from #5,271 in 1950, #808 in 1980, #3,117 in 2000, and #6,369 in 2010. Of the 5,767 US girls named Venessa since records began, 34% were born in the 1980s, its biggest decade. The 1970s come next, with 1,226 babies. Since 2010, 169 more have been named Venessa.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Candis, Casie, Laquita, Magen, and Tenisha.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Venessa is usually pronounced vuh-NEH-suh, with three syllables. It has seven letters, starts with V and ends in “-sa”.
Middle names for Venessa
A few middle names that flow with Venessa: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Venessa
Similar names
Alyssa Girl
uh-LIS-uh
“form of Alice; also alyssum flower” · English
#453
Vanessa Girl
vuh-NEH-suh
“invented by Jonathan Swift” · English
#377
Marissa Girl
muh-RIH-suh
“elaboration of Maria; linked to the sea” · English
#1,679
Alissa Girl
uh-LIH-suh
“form of Alice or Alyssa” · English
#1,942
Janessa Girl
juh-NES-uh
“blend of Jan and Vanessa” · American (modern coinage)
#1,741
Anissa Girl
uh-NEE-suh
“uncertain; possibly from Anisa, friendly companion” · Arabic
#3,071
Destinee Girl
DEHS-tuh-nee
“variant of Destiny” · American (modern coinage)
#3,040
Eboni Girl
EB-uh-nee
“variant of Ebony, a dark wood” · American (modern coinage)
rare
Evelin Girl
EV-uh-lin
“uncertain; variant of Evelyn” · American (modern coinage)
#2,159
Chasity Girl
CHAS-ih-tee
“form of Chastity; purity” · English
#4,579
Melissa Girl
muh-LIS-uh
“honeybee” · Greek
#420
Tessa Girl
TES-uh
“short for Theresa” · English
#311
Lists that include Venessa
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Venessa mean?
Venessa is an American (modern coinage) and English name that is usually said to mean “variant of Vanessa”.
What is the origin of the name Venessa?
Venessa has modern American and English roots. Venessa is a spelling of Vanessa, a name invented by the writer Jonathan Swift for his poem Cadenus and Vanessa.
Is Venessa a popular name?
No. Venessa was not recorded for five or more babies of its most common sex in 2025, so it is rare today.
Is Venessa a boy or girl name?
Venessa is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Venessa?
Venessa 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