Clarissa is a name of Latin origin that means "bright or clear". It is derived from the Latin word "clarus", which means "clear" or "bright". The name Clarissa has been used since the Middle Ages, but it became more popular in the English-speaking world during the 19th century.
The name Clarissa was popularized by the novel "Clarissa Harlowe" written by Samuel Richardson in 1748. This epistolary novel tells the story of a young woman named Clarissa who defies her family's wishes and marries a man they disapprove of, leading to tragic consequences. Despite its tragic ending, the novel made the name Clarissa popular among English speakers.
In literature, Clarissa has also been used as a character name in other works, such as "The Tale of Two Cities" by Charles Dickens and "The Importance of Being Earnest" by Oscar Wilde. These appearances have further contributed to the popularity of the name Clarissa.
Today, Clarissa remains a popular girls' name in many English-speaking countries, including the United States, Canada, and Australia. It is often associated with intelligence, creativity, and refinement due to its Latin origins and literary history. However, it is important to note that the meaning and associations of a name can vary depending on cultural and personal perspectives.
Overall, Clarissa is a classic and elegant name with a rich history and meaningful origins. Its popularity in literature has helped to solidify its place as a beloved girls' name for generations.
The name Clarissa has been a popular choice for parents in the United States over the years, with its popularity waxing and waning throughout different decades.
In the late 19th century, the number of babies named Clarissa hovered around the teens, with peaks at 26 births in 1894 and 33 births in 1901. The early 20th century saw a steady increase in popularity, reaching a high of 50 births in 1912.
The 1930s and 1940s marked a significant decline in the use of the name Clarissa, with fewer than 60 babies named Clarissa per year on average. However, the post-World War II era brought a resurgence in popularity, with over 100 births each year from 1947 onwards.
The 1950s and 1960s were the heyday of the name Clarissa, with peaks of 263 births in 1964 and 321 births in 1970. The popularity of the name continued to rise throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, reaching an all-time high of 1140 births in 1992.
However, since then, the number of babies named Clarissa has declined significantly. In recent years, fewer than 300 babies have been named Clarissa annually, with a low of 209 births in 2023.
In total, over 40,000 babies have been named Clarissa in the United States since records began in 1880. Despite its fluctuating popularity, Clarissa remains a classic and enduring name choice for parents seeking a timeless and elegant option for their daughters.