Declining since 1994.
Popularity of Annissa since 1967
Babies named Annissa per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1993, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Annissa's real moment was 1971.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 93 |
| 1970s | 289 |
| 1980s | 131 |
| 1990s | 343 |
| 2000s | 231 |
| 2010s | 75 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Annissa is a name that first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1967, reflecting a trend of creative respellings and sound-based coinages in the mid-20th century. It reached its peak year in 1971, aligning with the broader popularity of names ending in 'ssa' like Vanessa and Alyssa. Since 1994, the name has been steadily falling in usage, and it has not ranked in the top 1000 names in decades. Its trajectory suggests a name that was briefly fashionable but has since become uncommon, giving it a rare and distinctive quality. The name's origins are debated, with some tracing it to Arabic roots meaning 'friendly' or 'companion', and others viewing it as a modern American invention combining elements of Anne and Lisa. No top states were recorded for Annissa, indicating it was never regionally concentrated. Overall, Annissa offers a melodic, feminine sound with a touch of mystery in its etymology.
Annissa is likely an Anglicized variant of Anissa, which derives from the Arabic word 'anisa' meaning 'friendly' or 'companion'. It emerged in the United States in the late 1960s, possibly as a creative respelling or combination of names like Anne and Lisa. Its usage peaked in the early 1970s and has since declined.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Annie, Nissa, Nissy
Sibling names for Annissa
Names that share Annissa's style, for a brother or sister.
