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I have been doing research on the name Vanessa. There seems to be some disagreement about how to classify this name. Some deem it as classic, others modern classic and yet others as dated. I know that this probably a matter of opinion rather than fact. What's this board's opinion on this matter? Vanessa was infrequently used prior to the 1950's. I found that Virginia Woolf had a sister named Vanessa Bell who was born in 1879. Vanessa entered the top 1000 in the US in 1950 climbing up the charts quickly. It entered the top 200 in 1954, where it still remains today. It also spent over 30 years in the top 100 (1977-2009). It's peak was #42 in 1988. It has been slowly falling in popularity since. In 2013, Vanessa ranked at 150.
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I would say modern classic.
Maybe due to my age my first instinct is to think of Vanessa as an 80's name.
But the SSA data shows it was fairly popular before then, and is still hanging on in the top 100 range now. From birth announcements, I most often see Vanessa used these days (in the US) by Hispanic families.
Maybe due to my age my first instinct is to think of Vanessa as an 80's name.
But the SSA data shows it was fairly popular before then, and is still hanging on in the top 100 range now. From birth announcements, I most often see Vanessa used these days (in the US) by Hispanic families.
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My definitions for the terms you're asking about-
Classic- has been around for centuries, ie John, Michael, Elizabeth, Mary
Modern Classic- hasn't been around as long as classic, but has some sort of roots; It could have started as a literary name, ie Angelica, Jessica
Dated- was extremely popular for a while, but dropped because of how popular it became, and became less popular because of the popularity- ie Jennifer, Deborah
I don't think I'd call Vanessa dated, especially since I've met only one Vanessa.
Classic- has been around for centuries, ie John, Michael, Elizabeth, Mary
Modern Classic- hasn't been around as long as classic, but has some sort of roots; It could have started as a literary name, ie Angelica, Jessica
Dated- was extremely popular for a while, but dropped because of how popular it became, and became less popular because of the popularity- ie Jennifer, Deborah
I don't think I'd call Vanessa dated, especially since I've met only one Vanessa.
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In addition to being a modern classic, Vanessa is also a literary invention. Some people may also classify it as a nature name, since Vanessa is a type of butterfly.
Jonathan Swift, an Anglo-Irish writer, invented the name. (Info on Wikipedia)
Vanessa is actually a genus of brush-footed butterflies.
Modern Classic+Literary Invention
Jonathan Swift, an Anglo-Irish writer, invented the name. (Info on Wikipedia)
Vanessa is actually a genus of brush-footed butterflies.
Modern Classic+Literary Invention
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