Vanessa: Name Meaning, Origin, Popularity, and More

Fact: Vanessa is also the name of a genus of butterflies, which includes species like the Red Admiral and the Painted Lady.

Vanessa Overview

Meaning

Butterfly

Gender

Girl

Origin

Greek

Etymology

Invented by author Jonathan Swift for “Cadenus and Vanessa”

Pronunciation

/vəˈnɛs.ə/

Popularity

Vanessa is a widely recognized name, especially in English-speaking countries and Europe. In the USA, Vanessa was ranked as the 221st most popular name for girls in 2023.

Syllable

3 syllables

Length

7 letters

Numerology

9 (Humanitarian, Selfless, Creative)

Name Styles

Classic, Popular, Nature-inspired

Associated Traits

Elegant, confident, artistic, compassionate

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

Vanessa holds literary significance, having been created by Jonathan Swift, and is also associated with a genus of butterflies.

Name Day

November 1st (Latvia)

Vanessa Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Venessa, Vanesa, Vanessia, Vannessa

Common Nicknames

Nessa, Nessie, Van, Vee

Diminutives

Ness, Vanny, Vesa

Famous People

Vanessa Redgrave
(British Actress)
Vanessa Williams
(American Singer/Actress)
Vanessa Hudgens
(American Actress)
Vanessa Paradis
(French Singer/Actress)
Vanessa Kirby
(British Actress)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

Vanessa Kensington
("Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery," Film)
Vanessa Abrams
("Gossip Girl," TV Series)
Vanessa Loring
("Juno," Film)
Vanessa Carlysle
("Deadpool," Film)

Places

Vanessa Road
(Ontario, Canada)

What Is the Meaning of Vanessa?

Vanessa means “butterfly.” Those who share this name often radiate a vibrant spirit and a graceful touch, just like their namesake.

What Is the Origin of The Name Vanessa?

Vanessa is a literary name created by the writer Jonathan Swift for his poem “Cadenus and Vanessa.” It combines parts of the name Esther Vanhomrigh, Swift’s close friend.

Vanessa Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Vanessa in the U.S. over the Years

United States	#2532021	#3112022	#3032023
Top 3 Rankings	#411988	#421985	#431986

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Vanessa

Year	Name Ranking	Number of Births	Birth Rate (%)
2023	303 (+8 from 2022)	1010 (-15 from 2022)	0.05774
2022	311 (-58 from 2021)	1025 (-198 from 2021)	0.05716
2021	253 (-44 from 2020)	1223 (-159 from 2020)	0.06826
2020	209 (+61 from 2019)	1382 (+158 from 2019)	0.07818
2019	270 (-39 from 2018)	1224 (-154 from 2018)	0.06671
2018	231 (-28 from 2017)	1378 (-141 from 2017)	0.07410
2017	203 (-6 from 2016)	1519 (-144 from 2016)	0.08041
2016	197 (-11 from 2015)	1663 (-66 from 2015)	0.08590
2015	186 (-15 from 2014)	1729 (-197 from 2014)	0.08863
2014	171 (-19 from 2013)	1926 (-168 from 2013)	0.09845
2013	152 (-29 from 2012)	2094 (-459 from 2012)	0.10863
2012	123 (-3 from 2011)	2553 (-66 from 2011)	0.13163
2011	120 (-13 from 2010)	2619 (-268 from 2010)	0.13516
2010	107 (-16 from 2009)	2887 (-636 from 2009)	0.14724
2009	91 (-13 from 2008)	3523 (-509 from 2008)	0.17397
2008	78 (-7 from 2007)	4032 (-415 from 2007)	0.19358
2007	71 (+8 from 2006)	4447 (+278 from 2006)	0.21011
2006	79 (+1 from 2005)	4169 (+74 from 2005)	0.19942
2005	80 (-5 from 2004)	4095 (-255 from 2004)	0.20177
2004	75 (-5 from 2003)	4350 (-2 from 2003)	0.21558
2003	70 (-2 from 2002)	4352 (-103 from 2002)	0.21690
2002	68 (-4 from 2001)	4455 (-217 from 2001)	0.22557
2001	64 (-2 from 2000)	4672 (-462 from 2000)	0.23585
2000	62 (-5 from 1999)	5134 (-153 from 1999)	0.25725
1999	57 (-5 from 1998)	5287 (-543 from 1998)	0.27157
1998	52 (+2 from 1997)	5830 (+34 from 1997)	0.30075
1997	54 (+6 from 1996)	5796 (+50 from 1996)	0.30358
1996	60 (+3 from 1995)	5746 (+342 from 1995)	0.29970
1995	63 (-4 from 1994)	5404 (-148 from 1994)	0.28123
1994	59 (-4 from 1993)	5552 (-337 from 1993)	0.28481
1993	55 No change from 1992	5889 (-190 from 1992)	0.29870
1992	55 (+1 from 1991)	6079 (+154 from 1991)	0.30324
1991	56 No change from 1990	5925 (-483 from 1990)	0.29138
1990	56 (-6 from 1989)	6408 (-553 from 1989)	0.31192
1989	50 (-9 from 1988)	6961 (-555 from 1988)	0.34942
1988	41 (+2 from 1987)	7516 (+169 from 1987)	0.39082
1987	43 No change from 1986	7347 (-121 from 1986)	0.39200
1986	43 (-1 from 1985)	7468 (-96 from 1985)	0.40466
1985	42 (+3 from 1984)	7564 (+408 from 1984)	0.40968
1984	45 (+3 from 1983)	7156 (+768 from 1983)	0.39682
1983	48 (+1 from 1982)	6388 (+235 from 1982)	0.35694
1982	49 (+13 from 1981)	6153 (+1404 from 1981)	0.33914
1981	62 (+7 from 1980)	4749 (+323 from 1980)	0.26553
1980	69 (+6 from 1979)	4426 (+325 from 1979)	0.24856
1979	75 (+1 from 1978)	4101 (+248 from 1978)	0.23798
1978	76 (+14 from 1977)	3853 (+644 from 1977)	0.23438
1977	90 (+16 from 1976)	3209 (+746 from 1976)	0.19508
1976	106 (+9 from 1975)	2463 (+22 from 1975)	0.15669
1975	115 (+7 from 1974)	2441 (+89 from 1974)	0.15639
1974	122 (+12 from 1973)	2352 (+207 from 1973)	0.15017
1973	134 (-1 from 1972)	2145 (-134 from 1972)	0.13802
1972	133 (-4 from 1971)	2279 (-378 from 1971)	0.14133
1971	129 (+9 from 1970)	2657 (+81 from 1970)	0.15160
1970	138 (+9 from 1969)	2576 (+342 from 1969)	0.14062
1969	147 (+34 from 1968)	2234 (+437 from 1968)	0.12673
1968	181 (-11 from 1967)	1797 (-72 from 1967)	0.10511
1967	170 (+27 from 1966)	1869 (+226 from 1966)	0.10886
1966	197 (+6 from 1965)	1643 (+11 from 1965)	0.09358
1965	203 (-20 from 1964)	1632 (-424 from 1964)	0.08930
1964	183 (+5 from 1963)	2056 (+24 from 1963)	0.10504
1963	188 (-13 from 1962)	2032 (-212 from 1962)	0.10221
1962	175 (-22 from 1961)	2244 (-520 from 1961)	0.11071
1961	153 (+1 from 1960)	2764 (+52 from 1960)	0.13307
1960	154 (-15 from 1959)	2712 (-408 from 1959)	0.13040
1959	139 (+9 from 1958)	3120 (+376 from 1958)	0.15010
1958	148 (+11 from 1957)	2744 (+365 from 1957)	0.13283
1957	159 (-14 from 1956)	2379 (-238 from 1956)	0.11339
1956	145 (-5 from 1955)	2617 (-81 from 1955)	0.12707
1955	140 (+2 from 1954)	2698 (+55 from 1954)	0.13457
1954	142 (+21 from 1953)	2643 (+636 from 1953)	0.13276
1953	163 (+140 from 1952)	2007 (+1312 from 1952)	0.10402
1952	303 (+353 from 1951)	695 (+519 from 1951)	0.03654
1951	656 (+281 from 1950)	176 (+85 from 1950)	0.00953
1950	937 (+133 from 1949)	91 (+21 from 1949)	0.00517
1949	1070 (-13 from 1948)	70 (+1 from 1948)	0.00399
1948	1057 (+113 from 1947)	69 (+10 from 1947)	0.00396
1947	1170 (+1427 from 1946)	59 (+45 from 1946)	0.00325
1946	2597 (-656 from 1945)	14 (-5 from 1945)	0.00087
1945	1941 (+570 from 1944)	19 (+6 from 1944)	0.00141
1944	2511 (+529 from 1943)	13 (+3 from 1943)	0.00095
1943	3040 (-826 from 1942)	10 (-6 from 1942)	0.00070
1942	2214 (+454 from 1941)	16 (+5 from 1941)	0.00115
1941	2668 (-465 from 1940)	11 (-3 from 1940)	0.00088
1940	2203 (+1226 from 1939)	14 (+7 from 1939)	0.00119
1939	3429 (-1315 from 1938)	7 (-8 from 1938)	0.00062
1938	2114 (-200 from 1937)	15 (-2 from 1937)	0.00131
1937	1914 (-224 from 1936)	17 (-3 from 1936)	0.00154
1936	1690 (-426 from 1935)	20 (-12 from 1935)	0.00186
1935	1264 (+2142 from 1933)	32 (+25 from 1933)	0.00294
1934	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1933	3406 (-359 from 1932)	7 (-2 from 1932)	0.00067
1932	3047 (+450 from 1931)	9 (+2 from 1931)	0.00081
1931	3497 (-652 from 1930)	7 (-3 from 1930)	0.00063
1930	2845 (+1725 from 1929)	10 (+5 from 1929)	0.00086
1929	4570 (-375 from 1928)	5 (-1 from 1928)	0.00043
1928	4195 (+610 from 1927)	6 (+1 from 1927)	0.00050
1927	4805 (-1443 from 1925)	5 (-4 from 1925)	0.00040
1926	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1925	3362 (-12 from 1923)	9 No change from 1923	0.00071
1924	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1923	3350 (+1094 from 1922)	9 (+3 from 1922)	0.00072
1922	4444 (+655 from 1921)	6 (+1 from 1921)	0.00048
1921	5099 (-701 from 1920)	5 (-1 from 1920)	0.00039
1920	4398 (-147 from 1919)	6 No change from 1919	0.00048
1919	4251 (-168 from 1917)	6 No change from 1917	0.00051
1918	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1917	4083 (-825 from 1916)	6 (-2 from 1916)	0.00053
1916	3258 (-570 from 1915)	8 (-2 from 1915)	0.00074
1915	2688 (+499 from 1913)	10 (+5 from 1913)	0.00098
1914	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1913	3187 (-1464 from 1900)	5 (-1 from 1900)	0.00076
1912	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1911	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1910	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1909	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1908	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1907	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1906	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1905	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1904	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1903	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1902	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1901	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1900	1723 First SSA data recorded	6 First SSA data recorded	0.00189
1899	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1898	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1897	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1896	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1895	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1894	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1893	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1892	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1891	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1890	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1889	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1888	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1887	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1886	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1885	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1884	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1883	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1882	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1881	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1880	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000

American States Popularity Rankings for Vanessa

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

California (CA)

#1342021

#1992022

#2172023

Texas (TX)

#2362021

#2442022

#2612023

New York (NY)

#2872021

#4022022

#3162023

Illinois (IL)

#2022021

#3682022

#2742023

Florida (FL)

#2102021

#2682022

#1962023

New Jersey (NJ)

#2092021

#3262022

#2452023

Pennsylvania (PA)

#3392021

#4122022

#3352023

Arizona (AZ)

#2242021

#2382022

#2362023

Ohio (OH)

#3522021

#3592022

#5002023

Michigan (MI)

#2982021

#2912022

#3022023

Georgia (GA)

#2632021

#5312022

#4482023

North Carolina (NC)

#2692021

#4272022

#3242023

Virginia (VA)

#5612021

#4282022

#4972023

Massachusetts (MA)

#3222021

#3942022

#5002023

Washington (WA)

#1552021

#2432022

#3052023

Indiana (IN)

#3472021

#2952022

#3092023

Colorado (CO)

#4682021

#3592022

#3072023

Louisiana (LA)

#6502021

#5122022

#6992023

Tennessee (TN)

#4692021

#4132022

#3552023

Alabama (AL)

#4172021

#3772022

#4422023

Maryland (MD)

#2462021

#2572022

#4052023

Missouri (MO)

#3192021

#4072022

#5962023

New Mexico (NM)

#2952018

#3982020

#2592023

Wisconsin (WI)

#3772021

#4672022

#3032023

Minnesota (MN)

#2982021

#3122022

#3642023

Connecticut (CT)

#3152021

#5472022

#3652023

Kentucky (KY)

#3372021

#5102022

#4202023

South Carolina (SC)

#2452021

#1862022

#3282023

Oregon (OR)

#3502021

#2642022

#5232023

Oklahoma (OK)

#4722021

#2742022

#3812023

Mississippi (MS)

#6612017

#2612021

#6432022

Nevada (NV)

#1712021

#2082022

#3172023

Utah (UT)

#4072021

#4712022

#7642023

Kansas (KS)

#4902021

#3432022

#4942023

Arkansas (AR)

#4782020

#6772021

#6592022

Iowa (IA)

#4332021

#5782022

#2712023

District of Columbia (DC)

#1352008

#1522009

#2892013

West Virginia (WV)

#4082013

#3342016

#3792021

Nebraska (NE)

#4132021

#4892022

#4782023

Hawaii (HI)

#1712013

#1332014

#1672017

Rhode Island (RI)

#842010

#952011

#2272013

Idaho (ID)

#3602020

#3172021

#2792023

Maine (ME)

#2252010

#2602012

#2162013

New Hampshire (NH)

#2172013

#2562019

#2612021

Alaska (AK)

#1492013

#1892020

#1662023

South Dakota (SD)

#2652015

#2762018

#2392022

Montana (MT)

#2412006

#2392007

#1292009

Delaware (DE)

#1852016

#2322017

#1452020

North Dakota (ND)

#1852005

#1972006

#1412009

Wyoming (WY)

#1332002

#722003

#572008

Vermont (VT)

#1062004

#1002010

#1252011

Popularity Rankings for Vanessa in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Brazil

Brazil

#81990 (Decade)

#152000 (Decade)

Popularity in Slovakia

Slovakia

#322007

#302008

#362009

Popularity in Mexico

Mexico

#352020

#422021

Popularity in Other American Territories

American Samoa

Guam

Northern Mariana Islands

U.S. Virgin Islands

Other American Territories

#531998

#452008

Popularity in Finland

Finland

#502020

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW)

#881999

#932000

#932001

Popularity in Austria

Austria

#892020

#1062021

#1252022

Popularity in Portugal

Portugal

#952011

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden

#1002002

#1332022

#1332023

Popularity in Poland

Poland

#1302021

#1392022

#1422023

Popularity in Chile

Chile

#1342008

#1772009

#1922010

Popularity in Belgium

Belgium

#1721998

#1571999

#1992000

Popularity in Norway

Norway

#2582021

#1772022

#2162023

Popularity in France

France

#1792001

#1872002

#1992003

Popularity in Argentina

Argentina

#1851989

#1901991

#1921994

Popularity in Germany

Germany

#2042021

#1902022

#2742023

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland

#1912020

#2762021

#2382022

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico

#5012009

#2562010

#3762011

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland

#3612018

#2632019

#3912023

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland

#2702021

#3382022

#4042023

Popularity in Canada

Canada

#2752021

#3282022

#4312023

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland

#3012018

#4932019

#2762020

Popularity in Iceland

Iceland

#2972022

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand

#3912017

#3082018

#4602022

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales

#5622019

#6652020

#5172021

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada

#5422020

#7452021

#6772022

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Vanessa a Name for Boys or Girls?

Vanessa is generally considered a female name. Its usage in literature and its soft, melodic tone contribute to its femininity.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Vanessa

Venessa
Vanesa
Vanessia
Vannessa

Nessa
Nessie
Van
Vee

Ness
Vanny
Vesa

Vanessa in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

Vanessa Redgrave (Actress, born 1937): A celebrated British actress with a career spanning over six decades in film, television, and theater.
Vanessa Williams (Singer/Actress, born 1963): An American singer and actress who has achieved success in music, film, and television.
Vanessa Hudgens (Actress, born 1988): An American actress and singer who gained fame for her role in the "High School Musical" series.
Vanessa Paradis (Singer/Actress, born 1972): A French singer, model, and actress who started her career as a child star.
Vanessa Kirby (Actress, born 1988): A British actress known for her roles in "The Crown" and "Mission: Impossible" films.
Vanessa Marcil (Actress, born 1968): An American actress popular for her roles in "General Hospital" and "Beverly Hills, 90210."
Vanessa Bell Calloway (Actress, born 1957): An American actress and dancer known for her work in "Coming to America" and various TV series.

Vanessa Kensington ("Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery," 1997 Film): A British secret agent who teams up with Austin Powers to stop Dr. Evil.
Vanessa Abrams ("Gossip Girl," 2007 TV Series): A politically conscious young woman who navigates the social scene of Manhattan's elite.
Vanessa Loring ("Juno," 2007 Film): A woman hoping to adopt a child from a teenage mother.
Vanessa Carlysle ("Deadpool," 2016 Film): Wade Wilson's girlfriend who supports him through his transformation into Deadpool.
Vanessa Ives ("Penny Dreadful," 2014 TV Series): A powerful medium haunted by dark forces.
"Vanessa" (1977 Film): A soft-core erotic film about a young woman's sexual awakening in Hong Kong.
Vanessa Walker ("Haven," 2010 TV Series): A news reporter who arrives in the town of Haven to investigate strange occurrences.

Vanessa Drive (Florida, USA): A residential street located in a suburban neighborhood.
Vanessa Place (California, USA): A small residential cul-de-sac in a busy urban area.
Vanessa Road (Ontario, Canada): A street situated in a residential neighborhood offering easy access to local amenities.
Vanessa Court (Texas, USA): A quiet residential street in a suburban setting.
Vanessa Lane (Georgia, USA): A residential street located in a peaceful neighborhood.
Vanessa Beach (Queensland, Australia): A scenic beach offering various recreational activities and beautiful ocean views.
Vanessa Park (Dublin, Ireland): A public park featuring open green spaces and playgrounds.
Vanessa Lake (British Columbia, Canada): A serene lake surrounded by natural beauty, ideal for outdoor activities.

Meaning: Strong, brave, to be healthy
Origin: LatinValerie
Meaning: Honeybee
Origin: GreekMelissa
Larissa
Marissa
Clarissa

Vanessa Name Meaning