Given name
Vanissa
“resembling a butterfly”
Vanissa is a variant of Vanessa. One Greek interpretation is “resembling a butterfly.”
Meaning & origin
What it means
Vanissa is a variant of Vanessa. One Greek interpretation is “resembling a butterfly.”
Explained through its name family
Where it comes from
Vanissa is a variant of Vanessa. An origin associated with Vanessa is Greek.
Explained through its name family
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1955. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Vanissa through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 239
- 0 boys · 239 girls
- Most popular year
- 1971
- 14 babies
- 2025
- 0
- Outside the ranked list
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- —
- Too few births to compare
By the numbers
The most recent published U.S. birth count for girls is 5 in 2003. Later missing counts do not mean the name went unused. Its largest published annual count for girls was 14 in 1971. Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 290 as a first name in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Vanissa’s family of names
Vanissa has a related form in Vanessa.
The ring: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 2
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Similar names
If you love Vanissa, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Anissa
“one who is affectionate and friendly”
>99% girls
Alisa
“noble” · “kind”
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Valencia
Valencia is used as a given name and a surname. One Spanish interpretation is “one who is powerful; strong; from the city of Valencia.”
>99% girls
Doria
“of the ancient Greek tribe, the Dorians” · “dorian woman”
>99% girls
Jeanna
“God is gracious”
>99% girls
Lanora
“the shining light”
>99% girls
Angelita
“messenger” · “a heavenly messenger; an angel”
>99% girls
Phaedra
Phaedra is a feminine given name from Latin, ultimately from Ancient Greek.
>99% girls