Vanessa: Name Meaning, Origin, and Popularity

Pronunciation: va-hne-hssa-h

Vanessa Vanessa

Popularity: 392

Origin: Greece

Emmy Samtani

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Updated on Aug 14, 2024 · 2 mins read

Region Origin: Southern Europe

Meaning: Butterfly

Vanessa is a girl's name of British origin, meaning "butterfly". The name was created by Anglo-Irish author Jonathan Swift in 1712 for a character in his poem "Cadenus and Vanessa". Swift was inspired by his lover Esther Vanhomrigh and combined the first syllables of her last and given names to coin the name Vanessa. The name also has Greek and Latin origins, with connections to the goddesses Phanessa and Venus, and is used as the name for a genus of butterflies.

Vanessa Name Popularity Data

Vanessa is currently #392 in the popularity of the name rankings.

Girl: Vanessa is currently #211 on Kiindred Girl Names

Overall Unique: Vanessa is currently #389 on Kiindred Unique Names

Girl Unique: Vanessa is currently #211 on Kiindred Girl Unique Names

Popularity Trend Chart

Similar names

Valentina

Valerie

Parents Who Like the Name Vanessa Also Like:

Parents who like the name Vanessa often have similar name preferences and tend to choose popular choices like:

Katrina

Anastasia

Christine

Kathryn

Ariana

Cindy

Cassandra

Ellen

Stephanie

Melinda

Georgia

Sandra

Melissa

Helen

Stacey

Famous People Named Vanessa

This section lists notable individuals and public figures named Vanessa, showcasing their achievements and contributions in various fields.

Vanessa Hudgens: Vanessa Hudgens is an American actress and singer known for her roles in the "High School Musical" film series, "Spring Breakers," and her music career.
Vanessa Williams: Vanessa Williams is an American singer, actress, and fashion designer known for her hit songs "Save the Best for Last" and "Colors of the Wind," as well as her roles in "Ugly Betty" and "Desperate Housewives."
Vanessa Redgrave: Vanessa Redgrave is an English actress known for her roles in films like "Julia," "Blow-Up," and "Howards End," and her extensive work in theater.
Vanessa Carlton: Vanessa Carlton is an American singer-songwriter and pianist known for her hit song "A Thousand Miles" and her albums like "Be Not Nobody."
Vanessa Paradis: Vanessa Paradis is a French singer, model, and actress known for her hit song "Joe le taxi" and her roles in films like "Heartbreaker."

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