Shanessa

If you want to help baby stand out from the crowd, consider giving them a memorable name like Shanessa. This moniker is of English creation, but has been influenced by other origins to give it some extra meaning. It can serve as a blend of the English name Shane and the Italian feminine suffix -essa. With Shane’s connections to the Irish Seán, it translates to “God is gracious,” perfect if you plan on sharing your faith with your little one. Shanessa may have also been inspired by Vanessa, a name invented by writer Johnathon Swift as a nickname for his companion Esther Vanhomrigh. Along with being a genus of butterflies, it can be a blend of the Dutch van and Persian Esther, creating the meaning “of the star.” Whether they’re stargazing in the future or watching butterflies flutter by, baby Shanessa will have plenty of reasons to look to the sky.