The name Vanessa is of Italian origin and means "butterfly." It was created by the English poet Jonathan Swift during the early 18th century for his poem "Cadenus and Vanessa," which he dedicated to Esther Vanhomrigh, a woman with whom he had an intense friendship. The name gained popularity in the late 20th century, particularly in the United States, where it reached its peak in the 1970s. Today, Vanessa remains a popular choice for parents seeking a unique and beautiful name for their daughters.
The name Vanessa experienced a significant surge in popularity starting from the mid-20th century, with over 695 births recorded in 1952. This marked the beginning of a steady increase, peaking at over 7000 births per year between 1977 and 1984. However, since the late 1980s, there has been a notable decline in its popularity, with fewer than 2000 births annually from 1990 onwards. In recent years, Vanessa has become quite rare, with fewer than 1000 births recorded each year between 2017 and 2023, inclusive.