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Home › Baby Names Directory › Nessa

Nessa

♀ Girl

Pronounced NEHS-sa /ˈnɛs.sæ/Low

Meaning: Origin uncertainLow

In 30 seconds: Nessa is a girl's name whose origin and meaning are uncertain.
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Origin LowUncertain
MeaningOrigin uncertain
U.S. rank (2025)#2744 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births63 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2016
Total births (all-time)≈ 1,367

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201619352025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Nessa's origin is uncertain, with no source language settled and no fixed meaning recorded. It often turns up as a short form drawn from longer names, but on its own its history is not documented.

The name is soft and compact, two beats ending on an open 'a,' which gives it an easy, friendly sound. It is carried by real people such as Nessa Barrett and Nessa Childers.

Did you know? The meaning usually attached to Nessa is 'origin uncertain', and that core idea is what gives the name most of its long-term appeal.
Overall data confidence 55%
Behind the Name - Nessa — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

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Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

  • ★Nessa Barrett (2002–present)
    Female public figure listed on Behind the Name.
  • ★Nessa Childers (1956–present)
    Female public figure listed on Behind the Name.

If you like Nessa…

Vanessa— A longer name that Nessa is often drawn from as a short form.
Nara— lands in the same popularity range
Noora— lands in the same popularity range
Kyah— shares Nessa's Uncertain roots
Kaida— lands in the same popularity range

Frequently Asked

What does the name Nessa mean?

Nessa is usually explained as meaning 'origin uncertain' and is most often linked with Uncertain tradition.

How do you pronounce Nessa?

It's commonly said NEHS-sa /ˈnɛs.sæ/.

Is Nessa a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Nessa is used as a girl name.

How popular is Nessa?

In 2024, Nessa ranked #2867 in the U.S. for girls, with 58 births recorded.

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