Vanessa
Vanessa is an girl name of English (literary invention) origin, meaning “Name coined by Jonathan Swift”.
| Meaning | Name coined by Jonathan Swift |
|---|---|
| Gender | Girl |
| Origin | English (literary invention) |
| Pronunciation | vuh-NESS-uh |
| Tradition | Modern & Classic |
| Used in | United States, United Kingdom, Brazil, Worldwide |
Meaning and origin of Vanessa
Vanessa was invented by the writer Jonathan Swift for his poem Cadenus and Vanessa, published in 1726. He formed it from the surname of his friend Esther Vanhomrigh, taking 'Van' and adding 'Essa' from Esther. Later a genus of butterflies was named Vanessa. Well-known bearers include actress Vanessa Redgrave, artist Vanessa Bell and singer Vanessa Williams.
Is Vanessa a religious name?
Vanessa is a literary invention with no religious background.
How popular is Vanessa?
Familiar worldwide, peaking in the late twentieth century.
Gifts with the name Vanessa
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Spellings and variants of Vanessa
Names similar to Vanessa
More girl names
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Vanessa mean?
Vanessa means 'Name coined by Jonathan Swift'. It is of English (literary invention) origin.
Does Vanessa have a religious meaning?
Vanessa is a literary invention with no religious background.
How do you pronounce Vanessa?
Vanessa is pronounced vuh-NESS-uh.
Is Vanessa a boy or girl name?
Vanessa is usually a girl name.