N
NamyLab

Nessa

female
Updated 7 months ago

Meaning

"Pure"

Used as a short form of Vanessa or as an Irish-associated name; meanings vary, with some linking it to purity traditions via Agnes influence.

Themes:shortformvanessairish
BiblicalUniqueRare

Fact-checked by Lily Anderson

M.F.A. Creative Writing, Sarah LawrencePublished NovelistName Collection Curator • Creative Names Editor

This name has been verified against authoritative sources including SSA data, etymology databases, and cultural naming traditions.

Popularity History of Nessa

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#2867Ranked nationally
SSA did not record this spelling in the national rankings for the available chart years. Names used fewer than 5 times in a year are omitted from the dataset.

Yearly Ranking Snapshot

Pick any SSA release year to inspect that year's national ranking and how it changed from the year before.

Selected Year Rank
Unranked

Nessa did not appear in the national SSA rankings for 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year
--

no national rank in 2024

Data Source

Popularity rankings are based on official data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), which tracks baby name applications in the United States.

Last updated: 2024 • Data source updated annually

Nessa Nicknames

Familiar short forms, playful variations, and easy everyday options for Nessa.

8 ideas
nesy
Nickname
ness
Nickname
essa
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ssay
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nessaie
Nickname
nessay
Nickname
nessao
Nickname
ne
Nickname

Similar Names to Nessa

female

Anna

AN-uh

“Grace; Favor”

#94
|Hebrew
female

Angela

AN-juh-luh

“Messenger; Angel”

#282
|Greek
female

Ann

“Grace, Favor”

#1141
|Hebrew
female

Abigail

AB-ih-gayl

“My Father Is Joy”

#32
|Hebrew
female

Annie

“Grace, Favor”

#191
|Hebrew
female

Anne

“Grace; Favor”

#649
|Hebrew
female

Anita

“Grace Favor”

#1463
|Hebrew
female

Annette

“Grace”

#1304
|French
female

Alma

“Nourishing; Kind”

#472
|Latin
female

Agnes

“Pure”

#1063
|Greek

Baby Name Lists That Include Nessa

Browse every Namylab list page that currently includes Nessa, from meaning and origin collections to letter, syllable, and themed baby name lists.

20 linked lists

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Nessa mean?
Nessa means "Pure". Used as a short form of Vanessa or as an Irish-associated name; meanings vary, with some linking it to purity traditions
What is the origin of Nessa?
Nessa is of Hebrew origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.
How popular is the name Nessa?
According to the latest SSA data, Nessa is currently ranked #2867 in the United States. The name has shown interesting trends over the past century, with popularity varying based on cultural preferences and naming trends.
Is Nessa a girl name?
Nessa is traditionally a girl name. However, modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal preference.
What are good nicknames for Nessa?
Popular nicknames for Nessa include nesy, ness, essa, ssay, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.
What names are similar to Nessa?
There are many names similar to Nessa in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginHebrew, Irish
Syllables2
Length5 letters
US Rank#2867
Trend→ Stable
Starts withN

Sibling Ideas

Explore More Girl Names Like Nessa

Nessa has Hebrew roots, making it a wonderful choice if you love names from this heritage. Discover more options in our Hebrew baby names collection, where you'll find hundreds of names with similar cultural depth.

Nessa appears in several of our curated collections. Check out Beautiful Irish Baby Names and Unique Baby Names for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing Biblical Baby Names and Hebrew Baby Names.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Nessa pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Nessa beautifully, and the Nickname Predictor reveals the most common short forms.

Explore our full baby name lists for origin-based, meaning-based, and themed collections, or head back to the baby name generator to continue your search.