Home / Name Directory / Vanessa
How Many People Are Named Vanessa?
Estimated people named Vanessa living in the U.S. today
245,229
Gender distribution
0% male · 100% female in SSA records.
Name scorecard
- Total U.S. births recorded (1880–2024): 261,777
- Peak year: 1985 (7,606 births)
- Estimated living today: 245,229
Vanessa by age group — who carries the name today?
Vanessa popularity over time (1880–2024)
Estimated living bearers by birth decade
About the name Vanessa
Vanessa has been recorded by the Social Security Administration since the 19th century dataset began. In total, 261,777 babies were given the name in the United States between 1880 and 2024. After adjusting each birth cohort for survival to today, an estimated 245,229 bearers are still living — roughly 1 in 1,394 Americans. The name's strongest decade shapes how old most Vanessas you meet will be, which the age-group breakdown above shows directly. All figures are statistical estimates from public records; see our methodology for sources, the survival model, and the limits of the data (names given to fewer than five babies in a year are not published by the SSA).
Frequently asked questions
How many people are named Vanessa in the US?
An estimated 245,229 people named Vanessa are living in the United States today, based on SSA birth records from 1880 to 2024 adjusted for survival. That makes Vanessa uncommon — about 1 in 1,394 Americans.
Is Vanessa a boy or girl name?
In SSA records, Vanessa is 0% male and 100% female, so it is predominantly a female name.
When was Vanessa most popular?
Vanessa peaked in 1985, when 7,606 babies were given the name. Its current trend is declining compared with the previous decade.
How rare is the name Vanessa?
Vanessa ranks #211 of 104,819 first names recorded by the SSA, with a rarity score of 37 out of 100 (higher means rarer).