Declining since 2021, #1,872 for girls today.
Popularity of Alessa since 1970
Babies named Alessa per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2016, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Alessa's real moment was 2022.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 20 |
| 1980s | 103 |
| 1990s | 198 |
| 2000s | 640 |
| 2010s | 1,231 |
| 2020s | 813 |
Meaning & origin
Alessa first appeared on U.S. records in 1970, but its use remained very modest for decades. The name saw a notable surge in the early 2000s, peaking in 2022 when it reached its highest rank. Since then, its popularity has fallen slightly, but Alessa remains a distinctive and melodic choice. In 2025, it ranked 1872 and was given to roughly 1 in 15,307 baby girls. The name saw its strongest popularity in Arizona, California, and Texas, reflecting its appeal among families with Italian or Greek heritage. Alessa's gentle sound and connection to the classic Alexandra give it a familiar yet unique feel.
Alessa is a shortened form of the Italian Alessandra, itself derived from the Greek Alexandra, the feminine form of Alexandros, meaning 'defender of mankind.' It has been used as an independent given name in Italy and other countries since at least the 20th century.
Where Alessa is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Alessa” around the world
Where Alessa lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
10
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Allie, Ally, Les, Lessa
Sibling names for Alessa
Names that share Alessa's style, for a brother or sister.
