Janessa
20th-century blend of Janice + Vanessa.
Every Janessa since 1954 — 14,722 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Janessa
Janessa is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #1,741 in 2025 with 117 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1954, 14,722 American babies have been named Janessa. Its peak came in 2009, when 556 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2000s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Janessa stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Janessa year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 117 | #1,741 |
| 2024 | 135 | #1,571 |
| 2023 | 166 | #1,357 |
| 2022 | 206 | #1,174 |
| 2021 | 209 | #1,172 |
| 2020 | 208 | #1,142 |
| 2019 | 227 | #1,095 |
| 2018 | 272 | #972 |
| 2017 | 303 | #891 |
| 2016 | 313 | #894 |
| 2015 | 397 | #716 |
| 2014 | 368 | #761 |
| 2013 | 407 | #696 |
| 2012 | 426 | #665 |
| 2011 | 451 | #630 |
| 2010 | 527 | #554 |
| 2009 | 556 | #545 |
| 2008 | 536 | #574 |
| 2007 | 547 | #557 |
| 2006 | 488 | #596 |
| 2005 | 488 | #583 |
| 2004 | 544 | #524 |
| 2003 | 465 | #590 |
| 2002 | 390 | #647 |
| 2001 | 352 | #706 |
| 2000 | 346 | #686 |
| 1995 | 264 | #766 |
| 1990 | 318 | #676 |
| 1985 | 152 | #1,004 |
| 1980 | 117 | #1,154 |
| 1975 | 36 | #2,293 |
| 1970 | 21 | #3,150 |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | 6 | #5,469 |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Janessa mean?
20th-century blend of Janice + Vanessa.
How popular is the name Janessa in 2025?
Janessa ranked #1,741 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 117 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Janessa?
14,722 babies have been named Janessa in the United States since 1954, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Janessa most popular?
Janessa peaked in 2009, when 556 newborns received the name.
Is Janessa a boy or girl name?
Janessa is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Janessa rising or falling?
Janessa is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.