Rising since 1988, #6,838 for girls today.
Popularity of Inessa since 1988
Babies named Inessa per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2005, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Inessa's real moment was 2024.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 10 |
| 1990s | 90 |
| 2000s | 196 |
| 2010s | 229 |
| 2020s | 134 |
Meaning & origin
Inessa is a rare and distinctive name in the United States, first recorded in the Social Security Administration's data in 1988. It has been steadily rising in usage since then, reaching its peak popularity in 2024. As of 2025, it ranks 6838th, with about 1 in every 100,454 newborn girls receiving the name. While it has not yet appeared in top state rankings, its increasing trajectory suggests growing interest. The name bears Slavic and Greek heritage, connecting it to the concept of purity. Inessa offers a melodic alternative to more common variant Ines or the classic Agnes, appealing to parents seeking a name with international flair and a subtle mythological touch.
Inessa is a Russian and Ukrainian name, a variant of Inessa, itself a form of Agnes. Agnes derives from the Greek hagnē, meaning 'chaste' or 'holy'. In Greek mythology, Inessa is also an epithet of the goddess Artemis. The name gained popularity in Eastern Europe and has been used in various Slavic countries since the 20th century.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ina, Nessa, Ines
Sibling names for Inessa
Names that share Inessa's style, for a brother or sister.
