UK girl's name
Shanessa
An English feminine name of uncertain origin, possibly a blend of Sharon and Vanessa.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2011. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Shanessa is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Shanessa popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2011 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5785, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2007, with 5 births.
This profile covers 11 England and Wales registrations across 3 recorded years from 2007 to 2011. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 60% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 11 living people in the UK are called Shanessa. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2012 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Shanessa ranked #5785 for girls in England and Wales in 2011, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2007, when 5 girls were registered as Shanessa.
- • About 11 living people in the UK are estimated to have Shanessa as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5785
2011
Births in 2011
3
Latest year
Peak year
2007
5 births
Estimated living
11
2026
Meaning
What does Shanessa mean?
The name Shanessa is believed to have originated from a combination of the French name Shanelle and the Greek name Vanessa. The name Shanelle is derived from the French word "Jeanne," which means "God is gracious." The name Vanessa, on the other hand, is derived from the Greek word "Phanesса," which means "butterfly."
The earliest recorded use of the name Shanessa can be traced back to the late 20th century, around the 1980s and 1990s. It gained popularity as a unique and fashionable name, particularly in North America and some parts of Europe.
While there are no known historical references to the name Shanessa in ancient texts or religious scriptures, it is worth noting that some notable individuals have borne this name throughout history.
One of the earliest documented individuals with the name Shanessa was Shanessa Denson, an American artist and illustrator who was born in 1975. She gained recognition for her vibrant and expressive artwork, which often explored themes of identity and cultural diversity.
Another notable Shanessa was Shanessa Fenner, an American basketball player who played in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) from 2000 to 2006. She was born in 1978 and played for several teams, including the Utah Starzz and the Los Angeles Sparks.
In the realm of literature, Shanessa Gluhm, an American author and poet, was born in 1982. She is known for her poetic works that delve into themes of love, loss, and self-discovery.
Shanessa Terrell, an American singer and songwriter, was born in 1985. She gained popularity in the early 2000s for her soulful vocals and unique blend of R&B and pop music.
Lastly, Shanessa Fenwick, a Canadian actress and model, was born in 1990. She has appeared in several television shows and movies, showcasing her talent and versatility as a performer.
While the name Shanessa may be relatively new in the grand scheme of history, it has already left its mark through the accomplishments of these notable individuals, and it is likely to continue gaining popularity as a unique and culturally diverse name choice.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Shanessa over time
The chart below shows babies named Shanessa registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2007 to 2011. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Shanessa, the clearest high point is 2007. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2011, compared with 5 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Shanessa by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Shanessa was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #5785 | 3 | 1 |
| 2000s | #4606 | 8 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Shanessa
- Sophie 103,803
- Sophia 46,936
- Scarlett 34,261
- Sienna 32,418
- Sofia 29,136
- Sarah 27,961
- Shannon 25,510
- Summer 24,167
- Sara 14,205
- Skye 13,654
- Samantha 12,697
- Stephanie 9,309
FAQ
Shanessa: questions and answers
How popular is the name Shanessa in the UK right now?
In 2011, Shanessa was ranked #5785 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Shanessa most popular?
The peak year on record was 2007, with 5 babies registered as Shanessa in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Shanessa?
An English feminine name of uncertain origin, possibly a blend of Sharon and Vanessa.
How many people are called Shanessa in the UK?
A total of 11 babies have been registered as Shanessa across the 3 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.