Declining since 1995, #1,113 for girls today.
Popularity of Clarissa since 1880
Babies named Clarissa per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 133 |
| 1890s | 221 |
| 1900s | 252 |
| 1910s | 596 |
| 1920s | 663 |
| 1930s | 512 |
| 1940s | 680 |
| 1950s | 1,402 |
| 1960s | 2,323 |
| 1970s | 3,473 |
| 1980s | 6,374 |
| 1990s | 10,592 |
| 2000s | 7,558 |
| 2010s | 4,266 |
| 2020s | 1,439 |
Meaning & origin
The name Clarissa has a dignified literary pedigree, having been borne by the tragic heroine of Samuel Richardson's 1748 epistolary novel, one of the longest novels in English. In the United States, Clarissa has been in consistent but modest use since 1880. It reached its peak popularity in 1995, ranking 1113th at that time, and has since been on a slow decline, following a trajectory that began that year. While never entering the top 1000, it retains a steady presence, with about 1 in 7,581 girls receiving the name in 2025. The name saw a notable uptick in the 1990s, its strongest decade, and was particularly favored in California, Arizona, and Texas.
Clarissa is a Latinate feminine form of the Latin name Clarus, meaning clear, bright, or famous. It came into use in the English-speaking world in the 17th century, popularized by Samuel Richardson's 1748 novel Clarissa. The name has been used across Europe, particularly in Italy and Germany, and saw a resurgence in the 20th century.
Where Clarissa 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.
“Clarissa” around the world
Where Clarissa lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
15
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Clara, Claire, Cissy, Rissa
Sibling names for Clarissa
Names that share Clarissa's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Juliana, Catherine, Isabella, Sophia, Caroline, Marissa, Miranda, Brissa, Dorinda, Madelon, Marrissa, Merissa, Pricilla, Starlene, Tabetha, Alonda, Annaclaire, Annaleise, Aquilla, Benetta, Carlissa, Carrissa, Celinda, Cerissa, Charlise, Clorissa, Ellamarie, Ellissa, Genetta, Larinda, Latitia, Laurissa, Linnette, Melessa, Rosiland, Selinda, Sydelle, Albertia, Alphia, Athalie, Bellarose, Ceceilia, Charisa, Cherisse, Claryssa, Corrinna, Everlina, Harryette, Laressa, Laurisa, Luretta, Marlette, Marrietta, Maurisa, Narissa, Taressa, Tarissa, Terissa, Vanissa, Anelisse, Maryori, Merrissa, Ardenia, Armetta, Charlissa, Corretta, Darissa, Florenda, Geraldin, Ilissa, Julanne, Karlisa, Larrisa, Leomia, Loucinda, Mariaalice, Marissah, Merrisa, Princetta, Robecca, Valissa, Venesa, Venissa, Veretta, Vinessa
Brothers: Julian, Charles, Philip, Alexander, Henry, Markham, Rockford, Burdett, Corydon, Johnwilliam, Levander, Thaxton, Clester, Durant
Names like Clarissa
Names whose popularity has moved with Clarissa's over the last 50 years.
