The name is believed to have been created by Jonathan Swift, the author of *Gulliver's Travels*, for his friend Esther Vanhomrigh.
Here's how it breaks down:
* "Van": Comes from "Esther Vanhomrigh," the woman for whom Swift coined the name.
* "Essa": A shortened form of "Esther", meaning "star".
* "Vanessa": This name combines the two elements, signifying "star butterfly".
While the meaning is ultimately derived from Greek, "Vanessa" is often considered an Irish name due to its connection to Jonathan Swift and his writings.
Interestingly, "Vanessa" is a popular name across various cultures and has no specific meaning beyond "butterfly" in any other language.