Alisse

Meaning & origin

Alisse first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1972 and reached its peak popularity in 1987, likely reflecting the era's enthusiasm for creative respellings of established names like Alice and Alyssa. After a period of decline, the name has been rising again since 2003, though it remains rare: as of 2025, only about 1 in every 321,453 baby girls is named Alisse. Its modern spelling and soft sound align with a broader preference for feminine names ending in '-isse' or similar flourishes. Alisse has not consistently appeared in any state's top baby name lists, which underscores its niche appeal. The name's etymological connections to both noble and rational meanings give it a sense of depth, while its distinctiveness offers individuality without straying far from familiar sounds.

Alisse is likely a modern English respelling or variant of Alice, deriving from the Old French form of the Germanic name Adalheidis, meaning 'noble.' Alternatively, it may be influenced by Alyssa, a name of Greek origin from alyssum, meaning 'rational' or 'sane.' The spelling with 'i' emerged in the late 20th century as part of a trend for unique phonetic variations of classic names.