Vanessa
Peaked at #41 nationally in 1988, based on real US Social Security Administration birth records.
Girls vs. boys, all-time
Since 1900, Vanessa has been recorded >99% of the time for girls and <1% of the time for boys.
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Vanessa — Girls (United States)
FallingPeak rank
#41
in 1988
Current rank
#335
in 2024
Years tracked
108
1900–2024
Trend
Falling
Tracked since 1900, Vanessa reached its peak popularity for girls in 1988, ranking #41 nationally with 7,516 babies given the name that year.
Over the last 10 years of data, its rank has slipped from #171 (2014) to #335 (2024) — a 49% drop.
As of 2024, Vanessa ranks #335 nationally for girls, with 933 babies given the name that year.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | #335 | 933 |
| 2023 | #304 | 1,012 |
| 2022 | #311 | 1,026 |
| 2021 | #253 | 1,226 |
| 2020 | #209 | 1,383 |
| 2019 | #272 | 1,224 |
| 2018 | #231 | 1,378 |
| 2017 | #203 | 1,521 |
Vanessa — Boys (United States)
FallingPeak rank
#1202
in 1983
Last ranked
#13941
in 2014
Years tracked
57
1954–2014
Trend
Falling
Tracked since 1954, Vanessa reached its peak popularity for boys in 1983, ranking #1202 nationally with 58 babies given the name that year.
Vanessa hasn't appeared among the national top ranks for boys since 2014, when it stood at #13941.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | #13,941 | 5 |
| 2013 | #10,656 | 7 |
| 2011 | #12,190 | 6 |
| 2010 | #12,121 | 6 |
| 2008 | #12,458 | 6 |
| 2007 | #9,735 | 8 |
| 2006 | #11,972 | 6 |
| 2005 | #9,049 | 8 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, National Data, 1880–2024.
Similar trajectory
Other names that peaked around the same era and rose or fell on a comparable curve.
Based on US data — girls' names only.
Common Questions
When was Vanessa most popular?
Vanessa was most popular in 1988, when it ranked #41 nationally for girls — the highest rank it has reached in this data.
Is Vanessa becoming more or less popular?
For girls, it's currently falling; for boys, it's currently falling, based on the last decade of SSA data.
How many babies have been named Vanessa?
At least 261,777 babies have been recorded with the name Vanessa in the US since 1900, according to Social Security Administration birth records.
Looking for more name ideas like Vanessa? Try the Baby Name Generator or compare it against other names on the Name Trends hub.