Vanna

Vanna is a name with dual origins. As a Scandinavian and English short form of Vanessa, it ultimately traces back to the literary coinage by Jonathan Swift, who combined elements of the name Esther Vanhomrigh, his close companion, to create Vanessa in the early 18th century. Independently, Vanna functions as an Italian and Catalan diminutive of Giovanna, itself the feminine form of Giovanni, derived from the Hebrew Yohanan meaning God is gracious. Related forms include Vanna's parent names Vanessa and Giovanna, as well as Vana and Vannah.