Janessa

Janessa is a modern English coinage, most likely formed by blending Janet or Jane with the feminine suffix -essa, itself influenced by names such as Vanessa or Odessa. Jane and Janet are ultimately derived from the Old French Jehanne, a feminine form of the Latin Iohannes, which traces back to the Hebrew Yohanan meaning God is gracious. Janessa emerged primarily in the United States during the twentieth century as parents sought elaborated or more distinctive forms of traditional names. Related forms include Jenessa and Janesa.