<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-03-18</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000865917</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>VERSANT CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>VSNT</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001262321</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MAY HERBERT</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>JOHANNISTRASSE 20</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BERLIN</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>2M</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10117</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <remarks>See subsequent Form 4 filing for description of Issuer's Securities.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: R. Steckhahn as Power of Attorney  For: Herbert May</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-03-19</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

