VANESSA  

Gender: F
Origin: Literary invention; also a species of butterfly

Popularity in 2008: #76

One of the ultrafeminine three-syllable hits of the eighties, originally invented by writer Jonathan Swift, Vanessa has had more staying power than others like Tiffany, Kimberly, and Melissa, due to its classic beauty.

Variations:
Vonnessa, Venetta, Vania, Vanetta, Nessie, Vonessa, Nessa, Vanessah, Vanesse, Vinessa, Vanni, Vanna, Vannie, Vannetta, Venesa, Vannessa, Vanny, Vonesse, Nessy, Vana, Van, Vanesha, Vanija

International Variations:
Vanesa, Venessa (Spanish)

Vanessa is being discussed in our message boards:

• Unexpected, soft, and pretty girl names?
• Daycare Names
• How Important is following a sibset?
• A Different Kind of Name Chain
• narrowing my list...need help

Read Nameberry blog posts about Vanessa:

• HOT BABY NAME: Max in the Spotlight
• THE UN-WEIRDLY-NAMED STARBABY BOYS
• POETIC BABY NAMES
• EASTER NAMES
• CAREFUL, KAL-EL; WATCH OUT WHIZDOM!