Marissa is a beautiful and elegant name of Italian origin. It is derived from the male name "Mario," which means "masculine" or "rebellious" in Italian. The name Marissa was first used as a female name in the late 19th century, but it gained popularity in the United States during the 1970s and 1980s.
One of the most famous people named Marissa is actress Marissa Jaret Winokur, who won a Tony Award for her role in the musical "Hairspray." Other notable individuals with this name include singer Marissa Nadler and figure skater Marissa Castelli.
While the meaning behind the name Marissa is not well-defined, it is often associated with positivity and strength. Some people believe that those named Marissa are confident, determined, and passionate about their goals. However, there is no scientific evidence to support these claims.
In terms of popularity, Marissa was a popular name in the United States during the 1980s and 1990s but has since declined in usage. According to data from the Social Security Administration, it ranked #576 in popularity for girls born in 2019.
Overall, Marissa is a charming and distinctive name with Italian roots. Despite its masculine origin, it has become widely associated with femininity and grace. Whether you're considering this name for your daughter or simply appreciate its unique sound, Marissa is certainly worth taking into account.
The name Marissa has seen a significant rise and fall in popularity over the years in the United States. In the early decades of the 20th century, its usage was quite rare with only five births recorded in 1936.
However, starting from the mid-1940s to the late 1950s, there was a gradual increase in the number of babies named Marissa. The highest point during this period was reached in 1958 with 91 births.
The real surge in popularity came in the late 1960s and early 1970s when the name became extremely popular among parents. In just six years, from 1966 to 1972, the number of babies named Marissa increased dramatically from 140 to 351 births annually.
The peak popularity of the name occurred between 1976 and 1989 with thousands of babies being given this name each year. The highest point was reached in 1989 with a total of 3794 births, marking Marissa as one of the most popular girl's names during that time.
After the peak popularity period, the usage of the name started to decline gradually but remained relatively common throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s. Since then, it has continued to see a slow decrease in usage with only 137 births recorded in 2023.
Overall, despite its ups and downs in popularity over the years, Marissa remains a beloved name among parents in the United States, with a total of 120558 babies named Marissa since records began.