Shanessa is a name of African origin, derived from the Yoruba name Shalawami, which means "God is my protector." It gained popularity in the United States during the late 20th century and has since been embraced worldwide as a unique and beautiful choice for baby girls.
The name Shanessa appears to have seen its peak popularity in the late 1980s and early 1990s, with a significant spike in births in 1989 (17 births). However, it's interesting to note that even after this peak, the number of births has remained relatively consistent over the years, with an average of around 6-7 births per year since then.