MallowbyNames

Charisse

Charissesha-REES · Grace; kindness (derived from the French 'chérir', meaning 'to cherish')

Peak popularity
1971
Usually for
Girls
Trend
Declining since 1985

Declining since 1985.

Popularity of Charisse since 1946

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

701392091960198020002020Most births 1971Girls
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirls
1940s48
1950s635
1960s1,264
1970s1,441
1980s1,099
1990s521
2000s209
2010s65
2020s14

Meaning & origin

Charisse is a feminine name that embodies a sense of grace and sophistication. It first appeared on the U.S. naming scene in 1946, likely influenced by the famous dancer and actress Cyd Charisse, whose stage surname became a given name. The name reached its peak popularity in 1971, but has been steadily declining in use since around 1985. Despite its fall from common use, Charisse retains a classic elegance through its French roots and melodic pronunciation. It never cracked the top 1000 nationally in recent decades, but it remains a distinctive choice for parents seeking a name with charm and a retro flair.

Charisse originated as a variant of the French name Charis, itself a form of the Greek Charis meaning 'grace' or 'kindness'. It rose in English-speaking countries partly due to the fame of actress Cyd Charisse (born 1922), who was a celebrated dancer and star of MGM musicals. The name combines a graceful meaning with a sophisticated sound.

Where Charisse is most popular

Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.

2020s
Fewermore per 100k girlstoo few births

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Char, Chari, Rissa, Cherry

Variants: Charis, Charisse, Chariss

Sibling names for Charisse

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

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

C is for Charisse, our favorite little girl.

C is for Charisse…”

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

Make Charisse's book

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

Questions parents ask

What does the name Charisse mean?
Charisse is generally understood to mean 'grace' or 'kindness', stemming from the French word 'chérir' meaning 'to cherish'.
Is Charisse a popular name right now?
Charisse has not ranked in the U.S. Top 1000 since the 1980s. Its most popular year was 1971, when it ranked the highest, but it has been declining in use since approximately 1985.
Is Charisse a boy or girl name?
Charisse is traditionally a girl's name.