Narissa is a rare and captivating female given name of Latin origin, meaning 'joyful' or 'happy'. It is derived from the Latin word 'narius', which signifies 'snare' or 'net'. This unique name was popularized by English poet Samuel Richardson in his 1740 novel "Pamela", where he introduced a character named Narissa. The name Narissa has since been used sparingly, lending it an air of exclusivity and intrigue. It is often associated with intelligence, creativity, and uniqueness, reflecting its Latin roots and literary origins.
Narissa experienced peak popularity from the late 1970s to early 1990s with annual births ranging between 12 to 25, peaking at 25 in 1994. However, since then, its usage has significantly declined, dropping to as low as 6 births per year by 2017 and averaging around 8 births annually from 2015 onwards.