Vannessa

Vannessa is a variant spelling of the more common Vanessa, a feminine name created by author Jonathan Swift for his poem 'Cadenus and Vanessa.' Swift formed the name from the prefix of his friend Esther Vanhomrigh's surname and a diminutive of her first name. This alternative spelling with double 'n' gives the name a distinctive appearance while maintaining the melodious sound of the original. Vannessa shares the original name's associations with beauty and grace, particularly through its connection to a species of butterfly named after the literary character. While less common than the standard spelling, Vannessa offers a subtle uniqueness while retaining the recognizable quality and nickname options (Van, Nessa, Ness) of its more traditional counterpart.

Pronounced vuh-NES-uh.

As of October 2026, Vannessa ranked #15160 in US births in 2022 SSA, peaked at #1191 in 1987.