MallowbyNames

Alisah

uh-LEE-suh · of uncertain origin; possibly a variant of Alisha, which may be a modern coinage or a spelling variant of Aisha or Alicia

Peak popularity
2005
Usually for
Girls
Trend
Holding steady

Holding steady.

Popularity of Alisah since 1978

Babies named Alisah per year in U.S. Social Security records.

4711198020002020Most births 2005Girls
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirls
1970s12
1980s27
1990s38
2000s71
2010s22
2020s0

Meaning & origin

Alisah is a modern English feminine name that first appeared on U.S. birth records in 1978, reflecting the late-20th-century trend of phonetic respellings and invented variations of established names. Its popularity has remained extremely low, with no year achieving enough births to enter the Social Security Administration's top 1000 rankings; the highest annual count occurred in 2005, its peak year. The name has shown a stable usage pattern in recent decades, with only a handful of births annually. Despite its rarity, Alisah fits into a broader family of names like Alisha, Alyssa, and Alicia, which offer clearer etymological roots but share a similar melodic sound. Parents choosing Alisah today are likely drawn to its unique spelling and soft, feminine quality, though the name carries no specific top state concentrations or notable historical bearers.

Alisah is a modern English name that emerged in the late 20th century, first recorded in the United States in 1978. It is likely a respelling or variant of Alisha or Alyssa, names with diverse origins: Alisha can be derived from the Arabic Aisha (meaning 'alive'), or it may be a modern creation. Alyssa is a Greek-derived name meaning 'rational' or a variant of Alicia. The spelling Alisah follows a pattern of phonetic variations popular in the 1990s and 2000s.

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Ali, Lissy, Sah

Variants: Alisha, Alyssa, Alysia, Aleesha, Alisa

Sibling names for Alisah

Names that share Alisah's style, for a brother or sister.

Sisters: Maya, Sophia, Leila, Zara, Nora

Brothers: Ethan, Liam, Noah, Caleb, Elijah

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

A is for Alisah, our favorite little girl.

A is for Alisah…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Alisah's letter becomes Alisah's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Alisah's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does the name Alisah mean?
The meaning of Alisah is uncertain. It is considered a modern variant of names like Alisha or Alicia, which have multiple possible origins including Arabic ('alive') or Greek ('rational').
How popular is the name Alisah?
Alisah has never ranked in the U.S. top 1000 names. Its popularity is very low, with fewer than five female births per year in recent decades. The name's peak usage was in 2005.
Is Alisah a boy or girl name?
Alisah is used almost exclusively for girls.