Holding steady.
Popularity of Nesa since 1963
Babies named Nesa per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 10 |
| 1970s | 5 |
| 1980s | 22 |
| 1990s | 52 |
| 2000s | 6 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 6 |
Meaning & origin
Nesa is a name that has maintained a quiet presence in the United States since its first recorded use in 1963. Although it has never entered the top 1000 ranking, it saw its peak usage in 1992, and its trajectory has remained stable over the decades. As of 2025, the name continues to be chosen by a small number of families each year. Without any top states showing a concentration, Nesa remains a genuinely rare choice, unassociated with any particular region. Its obscure origins add to its appeal for parents seeking a short, soft-sounding name that feels familiar yet uncommon.
Nesa may be a diminutive of Vanessa, a name coined by Jonathan Swift for his poem 'Cadenus and Vanessa' (1713), combining Van from Esther Vanhomrigh's surname and Essa, a pet form of Esther. Alternatively, it could derive from Agnes, meaning 'pure, holy' in Greek, or from the Hebrew name Nessa, meaning 'miracle'. Its use as an independent given name emerged in the mid-20th century, though it remains rare.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ness, Nes
Sibling names for Nesa
Names that share Nesa's style, for a brother or sister.
