Alissa is a feminine given name of Greek origin that means "joyful" or "happy". It is derived from the Greek word "alè", which means "joy". The name Alissa has been popular throughout history, particularly in Russia, where it has been a favored choice for girls since the 19th century. In fact, some notable Russian figures have borne this name, such as Alissa Khazeva, a famous chess player, and Alissa Freindlich, an acclaimed opera singer.
The name Alissa gained international popularity during the late 20th century, appearing in various forms across different languages and cultures. For example, it is spelled "Alessa" in Italian and "Alyssa" in English-speaking countries. Despite these variations, the core meaning of joy and happiness remains constant throughout all iterations of the name.
In literature and popular culture, Alissa has been used as a character's name in various works, such as "The House with a Clock in Its Walls" by John Bellairs and "Alyssa and the Dragon" by Christopher Rowley. These appearances have contributed to the name's ongoing popularity and recognition.
Overall, the name Alissa is a charming and meaningful choice for parents looking for a feminine name with a positive connotation. Its Greek origin and timeless meaning make it an attractive option across different cultures and languages.
The name Alissa has seen a fascinating journey in popularity over the years in the United States. Between 1948 and 2023, there were a total of 38,354 births registered with the name Alissa.
The name's popularity began to rise significantly in the late 1960s and early 1970s. In 1968, there were 235 births, which nearly doubled to 358 births in 1970. This upward trend continued throughout the decade, with peaks of 406 births in 1976 and 506 births in 1977.
The name Alissa reached its peak popularity in 1979, with an impressive 1,090 births registered that year. This marked a significant milestone for the name's prevalence in the United States.
However, like many names, Alissa's popularity began to decline after reaching its peak. In the early 1980s, there were still several hundred births each year with the name Alissa. But by the late 1980s and early 1990s, this number had decreased significantly, with fewer than 500 births registered annually.
The decline in popularity continued throughout most of the 2000s and 2010s, with a consistent decrease in the number of newborn girls named Alissa each year. By 2020, there were only 154 births registered with the name Alissa, and this number dropped further to 128 births in 2022.
Despite this decline in popularity over recent years, it is clear that the name Alissa has a rich history and has been beloved by many parents in the United States. The name's varying trends in popularity offer an interesting snapshot of societal tastes and preferences throughout several decades.