Declining since 1985.
Popularity of Venessa since 1922
Babies named Venessa per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1920s | 5 |
| 1930s | 5 |
| 1940s | 17 |
| 1950s | 441 |
| 1960s | 751 |
| 1970s | 1,226 |
| 1980s | 1,978 |
| 1990s | 785 |
| 2000s | 390 |
| 2010s | 136 |
| 2020s | 33 |
Meaning & origin
Venessa is a variant spelling of Vanessa, a name that has been in use since the early 18th century but has never reached the same level of popularity as the standard form. The name first appeared in U.S. data in 1922 and peaked in 1984. Since 1985, its usage has been declining. Like many creative spellings, Venessa offers a distinctive twist on a familiar name without straying too far from the original. While the standard Vanessa has seen periods of widespread use, Venessa remains a rarer choice, appealing to parents who want a name that feels both classic and unique. The name has not been strongly associated with any particular region in the United States, as it has not appeared in the top states lists for recent decades.
Venessa is a variant spelling of Vanessa, a name invented by Jonathan Swift in the early 18th century. Swift created it for his poem "Cadenus and Vanessa" (1713), deriving it from the surname Vanhomrigh (with "Van") and adding "Essa" as a pet form. The name gained popularity in the English-speaking world, and alternate spellings like Venessa emerged later.
Where Venessa is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Nessa, V
Sibling names for Venessa
Names that share Venessa's style, for a brother or sister.
