A clunky cool favorite that proved to stick around long after her now expired 80s sisters, Vanessa has a quirky classic vibe about her that has extended to thrive in the 21st century. With adorable nicknames, a familiar but not popular feel, and literary and natural connections, it’s no wonder Vanessa has maintained her popularity. But is she deserving of the lingering use? Or is Vanessa a washed-up and dated choice? Today, I’m exploring the perks and downfalls of the 80’s favorite Vanessa, accompanied by an origin story, associations, and some of my own opinions sprinkled throughout. Anyway, let’s dive into this dependable and feminine moniker.
Pros
Vanessa currently ranks at #269, which hits the spot for many expecting families. Previously, I did a list of 50 familiar names; not popular, but not unheard of either, and that is what many people are aiming for when they start looking into names for the little one on the way. Because names that are within that range are so in-demand, Vanessa makes the perfect candidate for many couples’ popularity criteria. The fact that she’s been popular in the past means that most people are familiar with the name, but she isn’t topping the charts anymore, which puts her at even more of an advantage. But just because she isn’t soaring above her peak in the glory days, #41, doesn’t mean that she hasn’t held up remarkably well against the monumental shifts in baby naming trends since the 80s. While other trendy staples of the time period like Jessica and Stephanie have plummeted into the late 300s, Vanessa continues to offer nationwide appeal, and doesn’t feel half as dated or overused. In fact, when I first encountered Vanessa when I was about 10, I thought it was a sweet vintage revival! Even when looking at a popularity graph for Vanessa, the line is extraordinarily steady, rivaling even classics, which Vanessa is looking to be. Continually upholding a relatively high popularity while appealing to several decades of baby naming trends and offering a lovely and unique sound are difficult boxes to check, and Vanessa easily fits all of their criteria.
Not only that, Vanessa somehow feels both frilly, feminine and dainty as well as strong and robust, making her a name that will grow seamlessly with your child’s personality. Whether your child becomes captivated with tennis, dance, rocket science, or tambourines, Vanessa suits any personality. I would say that Vanessa seems similar to Vivienne/Vivian or Miriam in that sense: fitting any child’s character, despite being outwardly frilly.
Associations are also mostly positive when it comes to literature and nature. Vanessa was created by an author by the name of Jonathon Swift, for his love poem “Cadenus and Vanessa,” an attempt at elaborating on the name Esther, and was used later by a man called Johan Christian Fabricius for a genus of butterfly. Not only do some people hold poetry close to their heart, butterflies are also seen as a symbol of elegance and beauty, a stunning association for any name. In addition, one of the components that Vanessa was created from, Esther, means “star,” which is an equally beautiful meaning that may touch a family or two. And the cherry on top is that the nicknames for Vanessa are equally as cute as the full form. For a more masculine take on Vanessa, try Van for a short form. If you don’t mind the frills, Nessie or Vivi are the perfect nicknames for you. Vanessa has a few dependable short forms that will allow your child even more expression than Vanessa already gives.
Cons
Nessie is an adorable nickname and all, but images of the Loch Ness monster threaten to ruin Nessie and the full form Vanessa if you think about associations. A mythical monster definitely spoils the beautiful and frilly qualities of Vanessa, and may be an obstacle in her quest to become a timeless classic. Particularly if you live in an area where legends of the sea creature are widespread, Nessie may be a nickname to avoid.
Not only that, Vanessa lacks any roots. Sadly, it’s hard to find any recently made-up names in a list of classics, and given that a poet simply put together a few syllables of his favorite names to create a visually pleasing name for his story does lessen the appeal quite a bit for me in particular. While this may not upset a majority of parents searching for a name for their child, it’s normally the names with deep roots and meanings that soar to the top of the charts, not the invented fads that fall as easily as they climbed. Although all names were invented once, most of them come from words or phrases far in the past, while Vanessa was created from trendy syllables more recently. And the meaning of “butterfly” and “star” are likely far-fetched as well. A butterfly genus that was given the name does not mean that the name now means “butterfly.” Associations do not dictate the meaning of a name, just what people may think of when they hear it. And not only is Esther only a very small part of Vanessa, her origins are also debatable, including her meaning of “star.” Given that her roots are shallow and her meaning isn’t easily determined, Vanessa doesn’t feel very timeless and substantial. Not to mention Vanessa’s past as an 80’s favorite. Although she may not feel tarnished to many, she’s still nowhere near feeling fresh again, just in an awkward middle ground that has defeated previous family favorites like Melissa and Jessica. Vanessa has the double S and -a ending, and follows the same three-syllable format as dated names that no longer appeal to modern-day parents. So it’s not looking good for Vanessa in maintaining or climbing from the spot she’s perched at today.
Predictions For Vanessa:
I believe that despite the few cons I’ve raised, they are relatively minor to someone who isn’t fascinated with the roots and origins of names. However, I don’t think that Vanessa will climb very far. She has been on her way down for years now, and I doubt anything will stop her. She did have a good run, though, and I can say without hesitation that Vanessa will absolutely come back in 100 years or so and become a beloved and quirky vintage revival. If you are considering Vanessa, I would without a doubt recommend her for all of her lovely perks!
Sincerely,
~Delphina Moon
Do you like the name Vanessa? Do you agree with my prediction? Let me know down below!
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