Find out how popular the first name Danessa has been for the last 50 years (from 1975 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Danessa by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Danessa is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 6 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Danessa.

The history of the first name Danessa

The name Danessa is a feminine given name of uncertain origin, but it is believed to have roots in the Greek language. Some scholars suggest that it may be a variant or derivative of the Greek name Danae, which means "parched" or "drought." Others propose that it could be a combination of the Greek words "danos" meaning "gift" and "essa" meaning "essence" or "being."

In ancient Greek mythology, Danae was a princess who was famously impregnated by Zeus, the king of the gods, when he visited her in the form of a golden shower. This mythological connection could have influenced the development and usage of the name Danessa, although its precise origins remain unclear.

The earliest known recorded instances of the name Danessa can be traced back to the late 19th century and early 20th century. One notable individual with this name was Danessa Vidrine, an American author and journalist born in 1942 in Louisiana. She wrote several books, including "The Sugarcane Story" and "Cajun Families of Louisiana."

Another person of historical significance with the name Danessa was Danessa Allen, an American singer-songwriter born in 1963. She achieved success in the 1990s with her album "Danessa Allen" and her hit single "Essence of a Woman."

In the field of sports, Danessa Milligan was a Canadian track and field athlete who competed in the heptathlon. She represented Canada at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

In the realm of acting, Danessa Belcourt is a Canadian actress known for her roles in various television series, including "Da Vinci's Inquest" and "The Killing."

Lastly, Danessa Gayle was a Jamaican-American businesswoman and philanthropist, born in 1931. She founded the Gayle Institute for Integrative Therapies, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing complementary and alternative therapies to underserved communities.

While the name Danessa may have roots in Greek language and mythology, its usage and popularity have evolved over time, with notable individuals from various fields and backgrounds bearing this unique and intriguing name.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Danessa was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Danessa, please contact us.

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