Vanessa

Meaning of Vanessa

Invented by Jonathan Swift for his poem; meaning unknown.

Vanessa has Literary roots — browse every Literary baby name in our catalog.

Popularity of Vanessa

Vanessa has cooled off, slipping to #377 in 2025, down from a peak of #62 in 2000.

Notable people named Vanessa

• Vanessa Williams
  Singer, actress, former Miss America
• Vanessa Hudgens
  Actress, singer
• Vanessa Redgrave
  Award-winning actress
• Vanessa Carlton
  Singer-songwriter
• Vanessa Bayer
  Actress, comedian

More Literary names

Questions about the name Vanessa

What does the name Vanessa mean?

Vanessa means invented by jonathan swift for his poem; meaning unknown, and it comes from Literary origins.

Is Vanessa a boy's or a girl's name?

Vanessa is most commonly used as a girl's name in the United States.

How popular is the name Vanessa?

In 2025, Vanessa ranked #377 for girls, down from #334 the year before.

When was Vanessa most popular?

Vanessa peaked at #62 in 2000.