ness

Ness is a name with multiple uses in geography, personal names, and culture. The term appears most prominently in Scotland and in place names in other countries, as well as in fiction and popular reference.

Geography: Loch Ness is a large freshwater loch in the Scottish Highlands, famous for the legend of the Loch Ness Monster, commonly called Nessie. The River Ness flows from Loch Ness to the Moray Firth, passing through Inverness, the Highland capital. In the United States, Ness County in Kansas and the city of Ness City are named with this term.

People: Ness is used as both a surname and a given name. It appears across languages and cultures and has been borne by numerous individuals in various fields, reflecting its status as a relatively common toponymic and personal name.

Arts and entertainment: Ness is the protagonist of the 1994 role-playing video game EarthBound (Mother 2) for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. He is a young boy who travels to save the world using psychic abilities known as PSI. The character has become a recognizable part of video game history and has appeared in related media and fan works.

Other uses: The Loch Ness Monster, a staple of Scottish folklore, is often nicknamed Nessie, a derivative built from the location name Loch Ness. Beyond Scotland, Ness can appear in other toponyms and branding, reflecting its broad use as a place-based and cultural identifier.