Vanessa
GirlsBest rank #78 (2008) · ranked in 2 years
With a peak of #78 in 2008, Vanessa appeared in the rankings across 2008-2009.
It eased from #78 in 2008 to #91 in 2009.
It does not appear in the top ranks in the most recent data (2025).
At its peak year of 2008, Vanessa was given to 4,032 newborns.
Vanessa was most popular around 2008, making it characteristic of the 2000s generation.
Where Vanessa is most popular
In 2025, Vanessa was recorded in 35 of the 51 US jurisdictions the SSA reports on, with 789 births nationwide.
The largest share came from California at 116 births, 14.7% of the national total, where it ranked #608 that year.
By census region the name skews South, which accounts for 38.8% of Vanessa births, against 12.8% Northeast, 20.8% Midwest, 27.6% West.
State rankings spread more than the national figure suggests: Vanessa placed as high as #458 in Hawaii and as low as #1460 in Louisiana.
The 16 jurisdictions without a figure are not zeros. SSA withholds any name with fewer than 5 occurrences in a given state and year to protect privacy.
Top states, 2025
- 1California116 · #608 there
- 2Texas101 · #724 there
- 3Florida73 · #553 there
- 4New York47 · #755 there
- 5Illinois38 · #588 there
Share by census region
- Northeast12.8%
- Midwest20.8%
- South38.8%
- West27.6%
Shares are of this name's national total, not of each state's births. SSA withholds any name under 5 occurrences per state and year. Browse all states
Frequently asked questions
- Is Vanessa a popular name?
- Vanessa reached a best rank of #78 in 2008 and has charted in 2 years.
- Where does Vanessa rank now?
- Vanessa does not appear in the top ranks in the most recent data (2025).
- Is Vanessa a boy or girl name?
- It is recorded primarily as a girls' name.
- When was Vanessa most popular?
- Vanessa peaked around 2008.
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Source: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) - Popular Baby Names (national)