The name was derived from the title, _capitaneus_.

In a notarial document of 1502 the name of Alexander's mistress is given in its ancient form, Vanotia de Captaneis.
Litta, to whom Italy is indebted for the great work on her illustrious families--a wonderful work in spite of its errors and omissions--ventures the opinion that Vannozza was a member of the Farnese family and a daughter of Ranuccio.

There is, however, no ground for this theory.

In written instruments of that time she is explicitly called Madonna Vannozza de casa Catanei.
None of Vannozza's contemporaries have stated what were the characteristics which enabled her to hold the pleasure-loving cardinal so surely and to secure her recognition as the mother of several of his acknowledged children.

We may imagine her to have been a strong and voluptuous woman like those still seen about the streets of Rome.