Annalyssa

Meaning & origin

Annalyssa entered the U.S. baby-name landscape in 1990, a latecomer to the trend of elaborating Anna with fashionable suffixes. It reached its highest rank in 2007, but since 2008 its use has been falling, reflecting a broader shift away from invented compound names. The name has never ranked in the top 1000 nationally, and its 1-in-N ratio indicates it is quite rare. While not tied to any particular state or region, Annalyssa mirrors the style of other -lyssa names popular in the 1990s and 2000s. Its meaning is derivative of its components: Anna contributes 'grace' and Lisa 'God is my oath,' making it a name with traditional roots expressed in a contemporary form.

Annalyssa is a modern elaboration of Annalisa, itself a combination of Anna (from Hebrew Hannah, meaning 'grace') and Lisa (a short form of Elizabeth, from Hebrew Elisheva, meaning 'God is my oath'). It emerged in the late 20th century, particularly in the United States, following the trend of elaborate -lyssa endings. The name saw modest use starting in the 1990s and peaked in 2007.