Shanessa is a unique and exotic name of African origin. It is derived from the Swahili word "shane", which means "beautiful". The name Shanessa is believed to have been created by combining the words "Shani" meaning "beauty" in Arabic, and "Essa", a Hebrew name that means "God will help".
The name Shanessa has gained popularity in recent years, particularly in Western countries. However, it remains relatively uncommon compared to other names of African origin such as Aisha or Zuri.
There is no significant historical figure associated with the name Shanessa. However, it is often associated with beauty and grace due to its meaning. It is also seen as a strong and powerful name, reflecting the growing trend towards giving girls' names that traditionally were given to boys.
Overall, Shanessa is a unique and meaningful name with a rich African heritage. Its exotic sound and beautiful meaning make it an attractive choice for parents looking for a distinctive name for their daughter.
The name Shanessa has been used consistently but not commonly over the past four decades in the United States, with a total of 131 babies being named Shanessa since 1973.
In the early years, there were five births each in 1973 and 1978, suggesting that the name was introduced around this time. The number of births peaked in 1989 with seventeen girls named Shanessa, indicating that the name gained some popularity during this period. However, it did not maintain high levels of popularity, as the number of births dropped to six in both 1990 and 1994.
The name's usage fluctuated throughout the late twentieth century and into the twenty-first century. There were nine births in 1993, followed by six in 1994. After a gap of four years, there were five births in 2002. The most recent data shows that Shanessa has continued to be used recently, with seven births in both 2006 and 2010, and another seven in 2012.
Despite its ups and downs in popularity, the name Shanessa has maintained a steady presence in the United States over the past four decades. While it may not have reached the heights of popularity enjoyed by many other names, its consistent usage demonstrates that there is still a fondness for this particular name among parents across generations.