Vanessa

Very pretty.

I know it's pretty and elegant but I don't say it's ugly because of literal meaning was "butterfly", which is a scientific name for a butterfly but it was an invented name by Jonathan Swift.

I think this name is very ugly sounding.

Lovely name 💕 one of my favourites.

Very very pretty! I like the initial V and it sounds strong and feminine to me. ❤️.

It’s a pretty name, made up or not.

Vanessa is a very wonderful name, I don’t get what to hate!

I THINK this name is very beautiful and feminine. Also a very soft girly name. Personally I would love to be called Vanessa, and it has very nice nicknames as-well.

This name is soooo beautiful. Soft and feminine. I love the initial V.

Don't like it. This V initial makes it sound somehow harsh. Very common name used by drag queens and gays, for me it sounds low level.

It's the most feminine and girlish name I could imagine.

You know what? I really like Vanessa. This is another name I really can’t see how you can hate! As far as made up names go, all names had to be made up eventually and I would much rather be a Vanessa then a Nevaeh, Nekeisha, Oaklyn, or some crap like that. Vanessa is a beautiful name that just so happens to have a beautiful etymology too. It’s sexy and glamourous without being pretentious. Familiar, and not too common to the point it’s dated or anything. I also like the fact there’s a butterfly! That’s cool.

This is pretty, I don't get how you could possibly hate the name Vanessa.

This reminds me of the UGLY name Janessa.

My name is Vanessa and I love it so much that I could cry but it's annoying because of how people always call me every time "Vanessa" "Vanessa" "Vanessa" "Vanessa" "Vanessa" "Vanessa". I can't stand it, I want to explode. I will rename myself to vesper.

I wouldn't say this could be a twin name for Janessa because it's just way to close and people would totally get it mixed up.

This is my cousin's name and my aunt's name and I really love it. My aunt goes by Aunt Sha Sha (name given by my dad when he was younger) or Ness. My cousin goes my Sessa because when she was younger she couldn’t pronounce her name lol. We all call her Sessa now. If you were gonna name your kid this, I say go for it!

Vanessa and Janessa would be adorable twin names!

I disagree with MythicalCreature because Janessa and Vanessa are so similar that Janessa will be mistaken for Vanessa (if they are identical twins).

I have a love-hate relationship with this name. I've known both friendly and mean girls with this name.

This name is so beautiful, but rare in my country, Poland.

My name is Vanessa and I've always liked it for the most part. When I was a child there were a couple other girls named Vanessa at my school, but it wasn't overly common. A lot of girls in my grade had the same name, so it was nice to not have that problem. However, there were times when I wanted a cool nickname or a name that didn't sound so feminine. It wasn't until I was 12 or so that my friends started referring to me as Nessa, which I liked. Now that I'm much older, I like the fact that my name seems to fit okay with most any age. I don't see it as a name associated with only old women, so that is a plus. I do sort of wish it actually meant something, but since the name has a lot of positive associations, it doesn't bother me that it was invented by an author. In fact, I kind of think it's cool that my name was a creation for a published poem. It's nice that since it's a "made up" name that the origin is known. I find it more disappointing to get attached to a pretty sounding name only to find out it means something negative.

---

Also, I don't know if it's just me, but I always associate the name Vanessa with dark-haired women and find it surprising when I come across a blond-haired Vanessa. My mom actually had two names picked out depending on what my hair color turned out to be. If had been born with blond hair she would have named me Cassandra instead. I chuckle at this because when my younger sisters were born, she only had one name picked out for if they were girls. I'm pretty sure their names were "made up" names too.

My name is Vanessa. I’ve always loved my name — as a child, young adult, and now in my thirties. I have three sisters, Nicole, Danielle, and Jessica. I’m the youngest of the four of us. I think our names go together nicely.

Typical cheerleader name.

Funny how everyone complains about Nevaeh being made up but not Vanessa. Ugh!

It always reminds me of Vanessa Redgrave or an English snobbish person.

My name is Vanessa. I used to hate my name, but I came to appreciate that as a 13 year old, I am the only person in my school named Vanessa. Lots of my friends have the same name as someone in my school, so whenever they get called, they have to have their last names presented so they don't get confused. It's cool to be unique!

It sounds nice.

I kind of like the name, but people are really hating on it as an anonymous person, saying that made up names are ugly. Every name was made up from something at some point. If you are going to hate on someone's name, at least have the guts to use your real name not comment anonymously.

Ugh. I don't care for it.

I think of the person that has Vanessa as a name as a pretty person, but underestimated by society. Her looks and her inner self are equally beautiful despite the world only saying that her looks are ugly. Vanessa would be the type of name for a friendly person who if she one day finds love she will be respected.

I love this name. I mostly picture this name on tomboys and cool goth girls. The fact that I watched Phineas and Ferb as a kid probably helped sparked those thoughts.

The name Vanessa does not age well. I know a little tiny penguin person named this and she is worn and sorrowful... does not suit the name at all.

The name Vanessa absolutely does not mean STAR NOR BUTTERFLY. The name Vanessa was made up from 2 different words and therefore has no meaning.
I wish people with this name would stop making up garbage to glorify themselves and this ugly made up name. Do your research on this name and stop making up lies.

My impression of the name Venessa is of a sad shriveled little woman who lives in a basement.

Vanessa isn't too bad, but despise the nicknames for it... Nessa and Nessie... the Loch Ness Monster.

Lovely name. I just won’t be able to use it because our surname starts with a V. Don’t like those initials.

Vanessa is a beautiful name ready for a comeback!

My name is Venessa - I really like that my mom chose to spell it with an E - I like the way it looks on paper much better and it’s unique. The name Vanessa in general is beautiful - I love it and my sister does too!

I was looking for a name of the baby I am going to adopt. When I came across the name Vanessa, I felt something strong in my heart that it would be perfect for my baby. I love it very much from my heart. It sounds lovely, sweet and I feel full of hope for her future.

This name reminds me of Vanessa Hudgens, but not in a bad way. I get a bohemian vibe from it. I think of someone who is pretty and sweet and very down to earth. I also like Nessa as a nickname.

This is my favourite girls name. I can't tell you how much I love it. It is beautiful written down and I like its pronunciation in many languages (especially the Hungarian form, Vanessza).

One of my favourite names. If I have to name a girl Vanessa I definitely would. Though I think the nicknames Nessa or Nessy are very cute (it reminds me of my favourite sea monster in Loch Ness).

I am Vanessa Gabriella. I think my name sounds great. I remember when I was in high school I met 6 Vanessa's! We made a family that was fantastic and we loved and helped each other. Since then the name Vanessa has inspired, currently inspires and will continue to because I loved it and I found that maybe not all, but most of them are lovable, including our famous one's, such as Vanessa Paradis.

My name is Vanessa and I love it. I live in Guatemala [it's in central America right next to Mexico] where we speak Spanish. It's kinda a popular name although there is only one other girl with that name in my school. Although the most popular meaning is butterfly and then star, here it means "the one who has vanity". I dislike it though because I am not that kind of girl. I'm a wildish kinda girl. Oh well, I don't like that meaning but there are girls out there who might. I normally go by Vane [vah-ne] because it's a very popular nickname here in Guatemala. Sometimes my sisters, brothers and friends call me Nessie or Nesa. My best fiend calls me Vanejo [vah-ne-ho]. The vane- part is for my name [of course] and the -ejo part is for rabbit which in Spanish means rabbit and I adore them [I didn't like them before because they were small, calm creatures and I was a toughish, wildish person, but when I got one for my birthday I LOVED them. And all little creatures as well.]

I'm Vanessa Jade. About the name though, I quite like it. I have only met 2 other Vanessa in my life with the exception of celebrities with the name. It's very pretty, I only hate nicknames like Nessy, Nessa, Ness, etc. Why have such a pretty name and give it ugly nicknames? What's the point?!?!

I love my name. I used to not because I now realize, I hadn't grown into it. Now I love it and I have a new meaning. Yes, Vanessa is Greek for Butterfly because of the Vanesid (hope I spelled that right) and in Christianity, the butterfly symbolizes transformation, and NES in Hebrew is Miracle, so, I am happy to share my new meaning. Vanessa also means, "The miracle of transformation." Cool huh? Hope you like!

I personally strongly love this name! It's so pretty, adorable, cute and not overused classy name! I want to name myself Vanessa if I can.

I despise that all authors think of this name as an evil, devilish woman (sorry Brandon Mull, I love Fablehaven). It is a complete masterpiece of a name, one we should associate with an amazing person as well.

I think the name Vanessa is beautiful. Even though the name doesn't actually have a meaning, I believe its association with butterflies Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ and a poem has provided it with pleasant qualities that effectively strengthens the name, don't you think? :)

Apparently I was named Vanessa by request of my Dad. I think Vanessa Redgrave had a lot to do with it, thank God I wasn't born any later or I might have been Daisy Duke or Wonder Woman, LOL!
I used to really hate the 'V' word as this meant I was in trouble. I was named Ness by my Gran at an early age! Now I like Vanessa on paper but am definitely a "Ness"! X
Reading an earlier post about her feeling more comfortable with a slightly different spelling because of a local avenue... I am from Saltash in Cornwall UK which is really Essa in Cornish, I used to walk down Essa road and pretend to be a Van! Ha Kids! X.

I adore the name Vanessa. It's lush, lyrical and has such a nice forward movement. The name Vanessa is not too common, but is rather familiar. All the famous bearers with the name Vanessa are beautiful and talented women (i.e., Vanessa Bell Vanessa Redgrave, Vanessa Brown, Vanessa Williams, Vanessa Marcil, Vanessa Carlton, Vanessa Paradis, Vanessa Lachey, Vanessa Hudgens). Though the name was invented in the mid-18th century by poet and writer Jonathan Swift, it didn't enter the US top 1000 until the 1950s. It spent over 30 years in the top 100 (1977-2009). Now it is slowly falling from it's peak of #41 (1988), but I don't see it leaving the top 1000 anytime soon. One day, I hope to have a daughter and name her Vanessa.

I like this name, it suits all kinds of personalities.

Vanessa is one of those names that sounds like a name for popular, snotty girls who only care about themselves. It just doesn't sound too right.

I think it sounds rather snotty, but I would find it more tolerable if it was spelled Vannessa and given in honour of Van Ness Ave. in San Francisco.

I don't know why, but this name reminds me of nasal problems. It's still pretty though.

This is my name, and I like it. Even though there is likely to be one more Vanessa in class, it's a name that isn't heard everyday. I recommend it.

I really like this name. It has a classic feel to it like Audrey or Eloise. I've seen it spelled Vanesha (seriously!) which I thought was terribly ugly. Vanessa is a lovely name.

Very pretty name!

This is my name - ever since I found out it doesn't actually mean anything (and was simply invented out of midair), I've grown a dislike of it. Ugh.

---

Now I'm jealous of everyone else; at least your names actually MEAN something, however negative. I really wish I could get my name legally changed to one with a real meaning.

I love the name Vanessa! It's so pretty!

I love this name, beautiful.

Vanessa is a beautiful name. It sounds kind of Italian.

This is my name and I love it, nickname is Vane or Nessa but yeah a great name for a girl.

I like this name a lot! It's soooo pretty to hear!

Wow! I love that "Vanessa" was made up by a poet! That makes it so much more beautiful.

The name is pretty cool. I actually prefer the variant Vessa.

I love Vanessa, it is so elegant and very beautiful to say and write.

I don't like made-up names and didn't like Vanessa until I saw a documentary on Captain Cook, hosted by the geographer Vanessa Collingridge, a lovely slender intelligent young woman with lots of princess-like golden spirally curled hair! The strident Vanessa Redgrave and Vanessa Feltz (a British TV personality) put me off this name until the charming Ms Collingridge redressed the balance!
However, I think Vanora is a more beautiful and elegant name, deserving of more attention.

I'm so sorry if this offends anyone, but I absolutely HATE the name Vanessa! I love most names, but Vanessa is the one that I hate the most. Everyone says it's so pretty and elegant, but I'm sorry, I disagree completely. Not only that, I don't even understand how anyone could like it, much less love it! It's a horrid name! And, again, I am very, very sorry if I offend anyone with this message. And also, I have, don't laugh, lepidopterophobia, which is the fear of butterflies. And isn't that what Vanessa means? That's just another reason for me to hate this name.

Such a smug and pretentious name. Ugh.

The name doesn't sound quite as cutesy and girly as Clarissa and Carissa, but it does have that über-girly and youthful sound to it.

It was gorgeous, but the Vanessa Hudgins thing put me off it.

I've liked this name up until Vanessa Anne Hudgens came into the spotlight.

I don't really like this name. It is too long for your daughter to have to learn to write.

My name is Vanessa Anne, and I've been very happy with my name. I find it interesting how my name began, and as a biology teacher, I love that it has been used for a genus of butterflies. I've also been very comfortable with the many nicknames that friends and family have given to me that I really like: V, Nessie, Nessa, etc. I also think it sounds nice as "Aunt Vanessa" or "Auntie V".

---

Growing up, I enjoyed having a unique name. However, I did have a friend in middle school who was also a Vanessa Anne, which was really unusual. Another reason it was a good name to have growing up was because it is difficult to rhyme and use to make fun. As an adult, many people tell me that I have a beautiful name, which is always nice. I think it can sound professional yet fun too.

---

I recommend "Vanessa" as a great name for a girl, who will proudly be able to carry it as a woman.

This is my name and I love this name. My mom told me she chose this name because she had liked the name since she was a teenager. She also told me that some people she knew named their daughters this because they liked how the name sounded. I would recommend people to put this to a baby girl.

I've never liked the name, but after hearing it from the star Vanessa Anne Hudgens, this hate lessened to the point where Vanessa is one of my favourite names! But now that the nude pictures of Vanessa Hudgens came out, I don't know if I would name one of my kids this name anymore.

My name is Vanessa and believe me at first I hated it! I couldn't stand it to the point of changing by deed poll!

---

As I grew older though and learnt the meaning of the name I grew to like it and now I think it's quite pretty. It's not too old sounding, and it doesn't make me sound like a child. So I backed out of the idea of a deed poll.

---

Very hard to mispronounce although people do mispell it quite often. But oh well.

---

Considering my mum wanted to name me Tina I am quite overjoyed at my unusual name as I don't hear it often. Nessa for short is very irritating (especially when being shouted out by mother-in-law) but you get used to it and just answer out of habit.

---

So big thumbs up for Vanessa!

Pretty name! It is not too common anymore.

Vanessa is the name I really, really hate. It makes me think of a vain, smug, nasty and arrogant little girl.

Although I normally place high value in the meaning of names, I really do love "Vanessa". I have not met too many, but all those whom I have are always beautiful, kind girls. The name has a elegant sound to it, and since now I know it has the association with butterflies, that just makes the name all the more greater.

My middle name is Vanessa. I used to like it better than my first name but not anymore, almost all my friends call me Vanessa but I prefer the nicknames that my friends have given me: Vani and Vane (van-eh).

I find that Vanessa is a popular name for anyone in the field of entertaining. Actresses, singers, musicians and transvestites (kid you not). It's sexy and sweet at the same time.

My name is Vanessa, I find it annoying that people feel the need to shorten it (Ness, Nessa, Nessie, V, Van) Be proud of the name Vanessa. A butterfly is a beautiful creature, let the name Vanessa be seen as being the same.

Vanessa is a beautiful and sophisticated name. I love it. It is no wonder it has remained popular for so many years. At least not too popular thankfully.

My old best friend's name and I never liked it and I still don't, I just don't think it sounds pretty.

I love the name Vanessa! I used to hate my name when I was younger. Now that I'm older I love it because you don't hear it every day. And it is not a childish name.

My name is Vanessa and I like it a lot. It is not too common and isn't mispronounced that often. I think that it is very pretty and it's not childish or to old-lady-like. :o)

My name is Vanessa, and I used to like it when I was little, but now that I'm a teenager I think the name is too babyish and go by Van instead.

My name is Vanessa, and I love it. It's a really beautiful name, and it suits me!