How to Pronounce Vanessa
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Vanessa name meaning
Last Name
<100
in the U.S.
in 2010
<100
in the U.S.
in 2010
Girls
Boys
Meaning and Origin
What does the name Vanessa mean? Keep reading to find the user submitted meanings, dictionary definitions, and more.
Origin and Meaning of Vanessa
User Submitted Origins
English
44%
Greek
30%
Spanish
13%
African
5%
African American
4%
French
2%
Italian
2%
User Submitted Meanings
- According to a user from Nevada, U.S., the name Vanessa means "Beginning of new life/butterfly".
- A submission from Colorado, U.S. says the name Vanessa means "Butterfly or fathers pride".
- 2 people from the United States and Nigeria agree the name Vanessa is of Greek / African American origin and means "Beautiful butterfly".
- 18 submissions from all over the world agree the name Vanessa means "Butterfly" and is of Greek / English origin.
- A user from Washington, U.S. says the name Vanessa means "Butterfly in Greek".
- According to a user from Singapore, the name Vanessa is of Greek origin and means "Butterfly in Greek, origins from Phanessa, the Greek goddess".
- A submission from Canada says the name Vanessa means "'As a butterfly" and is of Greek origin.
- According to a user from North Carolina, U.S., the name Vanessa is of Greek origin and means "The Monarch Butterfly".
- A submission from Switzerland says the name Vanessa means "A love Poem, butterfly" and is of English origin.
- According to a user from Illinois, U.S., the name Vanessa is of African American origin and means "Rejuvenation and New Life".
International Interest
Also see international interest
Webster's Unabridged Dictionary
noun Van*es"sa
Any one of numerous species of handsomely colored butterflies belonging to Vanessa and allied genera. Many of these species have the edges of the wings irregularly scalloped.
Etymology: Probably from Swift's poem of Cadenus and Vanessa. See Vanessa, in the Dictionary of Noted Names in Fiction
Other Dictionary Sources
- Painted beauty and red admiral
Wiktionary
Coined by Jonathan Swift for a lady friend named Esther ("Essy") Vanhomrigh.
- A female given name originating as a coinage.
Vanessa was also found in the following language(s): Translingual, Danish, French, German, Italian, and Portuguese
Notable Persons Named Vanessa
Notable Persons Named Vanessa
Vanessa Hudgens
She has been prominent since 2002. Vanessa was given the name Vanessa Anne Hudgens on December 14th, 1988 in Salinas, California, United States.
Vanessa Paradis
Vanessa Paradis is a singer-songwriter, musician, actress, and model. She holds the title Vanessa Paradis – Joe Le Taxi excerpt. Her ongoing career started in 1981. Vanessa was given the name Vanessa Chantal Paradis on December 22nd, 1972 in Saint-Maur-des-Fossés.
Vanessa Redgrave
Vanessa Redgrave is an actress. Her most notable accomplishments were from 1958 to present. Vanessa was born as the child of Michael Redgrave and Rachel Kempson on January 30th, 1937 in Greenwich, London, England.
Vanessa Kirby
Vanessa Kirby is an actress. She has been prominent since 2009. Vanessa was born in Wimbledon, London, England, UK.
Vanessa Carlton
Vanessa Carlton is a singer and songwriter. Her most notable accomplishments were from 1998 to present. Vanessa was given the name Vanessa Lee Carlton on August 16th, 1980 in Milford, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Vanessa Lynn Williams
Vanessa Lynn Williams is an actress and singer. They hold the title Miss New York 1983, Miss Syracuse 1983, Miss America 1984, and Miss New York1983. They were most active from 1982 to present. Vanessa was born Vanessa Lynn Williams on March 18th, 1963 in Bronx, New York City, New York, U.S. Vanessa is also known as Williams and Vanessa Lynn.
- Vanessa MaranoActress
- Vanessa RayActress
- Vanessa LacheyBeauty Queen
- Vanessa del Rio
- Vanessa AngelActress
- Vanessa MarshallVoice Actress
- Vanessa Bell CallowayActress
- Vanessa RoussoPoker Player
- Vanessa A. WilliamsActress
- Vanessa James
- Vanessa BellPainter
- Vanessa Selbst
- V V BrownMusician
- Vanessa KerryChief Executive Officer at Seed Global Health
Fun Facts about the name Vanessa
| #48 | Girl Name of the 1980s |
| #19 | Unique Girl Names |