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At a Glance
- Meaning
- Short form of Vanessa, a name coined by Jonathan Swift; in Irish, possibly 'not gentle'
- Origin
- English (short form of Vanessa); also Irish
- Gender
- Girl
- Pronunciation
- NESS-ah
Nessa (NESS-ah) is a girl's name that works as a short form of Vanessa, a name coined by Jonathan Swift. It's English in origin, and in Irish it can also be read as possibly meaning 'not gentle'. It has a worldly, clean, modern feel, and it's compact enough to stand on its own.
Meaning & Origin of Nessa
Meaning: Short form of Vanessa, a name coined by Jonathan Swift; in Irish, possibly 'not gentle'.
Origin: English (short form of Vanessa); also Irish.
How to Pronounce Nessa
NESS-ahIPA /ˈnɛsə/
Popularity of Nessa
Nessa peaked at #2302 in 2016, when 83 babies were given the name. By 2024 it had slipped to #2867 with 58 babies, so it remains uncommon and your child is unlikely to share it with a classmate.
Names Like Nessa
These names share Nessa’s style, era or origin.
FAQ
What does the name Nessa mean?
Short form of Vanessa, a name coined by Jonathan Swift; in Irish, possibly ‘not gentle’.
How do you pronounce Nessa?
Nessa is pronounced NESS-ah (IPA: /ˈnɛsə/).
Is Nessa a popular name right now?
Nessa peaked at #2302 in 2016 and is ranked #2867 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1935–2024.)
Make Nessa Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Nessa, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
📊 How popular is Nessa? See the full popularity history, trend data, and ranking since 1880 with our free Baby Name Popularity Checker.
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