Yanessa
English/Greek · Girl · 3 syllables
Popularity & facts
Relative popularity index, 2010–2025Popularity over time
Popularity indexHistorical popularity from 1880–2025 · US Social Security Administration data
About the name Yanessa
Yanessa is a modern feminine name derived from Vanessa, which itself originated from the Greek name Phanessa or was invented by author Jonathan Swift in 1726 for his novel "Gulliver's Travels." The name carries meanings related to "butterfly" (from the genus Vanessa) and has connotations of beauty and transformation.
This meaning was compiled with AI assistance and is awaiting community review. Know this name well? Help verify or improve it.
Etymology
Yanessa is a modern feminine name derived from Vanessa, which itself originated from the Greek name Phanessa or was invented by author Jonathan Swift in 1726 for his novel "Gulliver's Travels." The name carries meanings related to "butterfly" (from the genus Vanessa) and has connotations of beauty and transformation.
Yanessa is primarily used in English-speaking cultures, particularly among African American communities in the United States from the late 20th century onward, with no specific religious affiliation or historical significance beyond its role as a contemporary variant spelling.
Yanessa currently ranks #17,558 in the United States as a girl's name. It reached its peak popularity around 2007.
Contribute to this name
Help improve this page with a meaning, origin, or correction—and get credited as a contributor.
Share your knowledge about this name—meaning, origin, pronunciation, or correction. Your contribution is reviewed and credited with your name.
Login to contributeWe use Google & Facebook login — no password needed.
Sibling name ideas
American names that sit beautifully beside YanessaSimilar names you might like
Names starting with YMore names starting with Y
- Yania
- Yaitza
- Yalisa
- Yaralis
- Yaditzel
- Yaalini
- Yahra
- Yaliyah
- Yamara
- Yanaisy
- Yalit
- Yalia
- Yadhira
- Yaely
- Yahretzi
- Yaletzi
- Yanci
- Yanellie
🧬 See Yanessa's popularity the year you were born →
🔢 Get Yanessa's free numerology report card →
💫 Is Yanessa your name? Get your free “My name means…” card →
Names that sound like Yanessa
Phonetic match, not just spelling"Yanis is a Greek form of John (Ioannis), derived from Hebrew "Yochanan", meaning "God is gracious.""
"The given name 'Yannick' is derived from the Hebrew name 'Yochanan', meaning 'God is gracious', and is of Semitic linguistic…"
"Younes is the Arabic form of the name Jonah, derived from the Hebrew name Yonah (יוֹנָה), meaning "dove." The name…"
"The given name 'Yunus' means 'fish' or 'whale' and is derived from the Arabic word 'yunus', which is also the…"
"The given name 'Yonas' is derived from the Hebrew name 'Yochanan' or 'Yonatan', meaning 'God is gracious' or 'God has…"
"Yannis is the Greek form of John, derived from the Hebrew name Yochanan (יוֹחָנָן), meaning "God is gracious" or "the…"
"The name 'Yunes' is the Arabic and Persian form of 'Jonah,' meaning "dove" in Hebrew, derived from the Hebrew root…"
"The name 'Yunis' means "dove" and derives from the Hebrew name Yonah (יוֹנָה), via the Arabic form Yūnus (يونس)."
"The name 'Youness' is the French-influenced transliteration of the Arabic name 'Yunus' (يونس), meaning "dove" or "Jonah," derived from the…"
"The given name 'Yanek' is derived from the Hebrew name 'Yanay' or 'Yanekh', which means 'God is gracious' or 'God…"
"The name 'Younis' is the Arabic form of the biblical name Jonah, meaning "dove" in Hebrew, derived from the root…"
"Yanick is a French diminutive form of Yannick, which derives from the Greek name Ioannes (Ἰωάννης), meaning "God is gracious"…"