girl name
Vanessa
Gender
Girl
Popularity
#377 · U.S. girls (2025)
Popularity of Vanessa in the US, 1880–2025
Vanessa first appears in US records in 1900. It peaked in 1985, when 7,563 girls were given the name; in 2025 there were 813.
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Frequently asked questions
Is Vanessa a boy or a girl name?
Vanessa is most commonly used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Vanessa?
In 2025, Vanessa ranked #377 among girls’ names in the United States, according to U.S. Social Security Administration data.
When was the name Vanessa most popular?
Vanessa was most popular in 1985, when about 7,563 US babies were given the name that year, according to US Social Security Administration records.