Ilyssa

eye-LISS-uh · Modern invented name, likely a variant of Elyssa or Alyssa, but no established meaning.

Peak popularity

2004

Usually for

Girls

Trend

Declining since 2005

Declining since 2005.

Popularity of Ilyssa since 1965

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

Data table (by decade)

Decade	Girls
1960s	32
1970s	23
1980s	128
1990s	218
2000s	248
2010s	126
2020s	11

Meaning & origin

Ilyssa is a modern invented name that first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1965, reflecting a mid-20th-century trend of creating feminine names with melodic endings. Its peak year was 2004, though it never cracked the top 1000 and has been in decline since 2005. The name's trajectory shows a falling pattern over the past two decades. As a rare name, its appeal lies in its distinctive sound and resemblance to more familiar names like Alyssa, but with a unique spelling. Despite low usage, Ilyssa offers a fresh alternative for parents seeking an uncommon yet accessible name.

Ilyssa is a modern invented name, likely derived from Elyssa or Alyssa, with the 'I' spelling possibly influenced by names like Ilyse or Ilana. It first appeared in U.S. records in 1965 and saw limited use, peaking in 2004. It remains a rare and distinctive choice.

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Issa, Lyssa

Variants: Elyssa, Alyssa, Ilyse

Sibling names for Ilyssa

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

Sisters: Natalia, Celeste, Arielle, Vivian, Corinne

Brothers: Julian, Ethan, Adrian, Lucas, Simon

Questions parents ask

What does the name Ilyssa mean?

Ilyssa is a modern invented name with no traditional meaning. It is likely a creative spelling variant of names like Elyssa or Alyssa, which themselves are often considered modern coinages.

How popular is the name Ilyssa?

Ilyssa is very rare. It first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1965 and peaked in 2004, but has never ranked in the top 1000 names. In the latest year of data (2025), it remains outside the ranked list.

Is Ilyssa a girl's name or a boy's name?

Ilyssa is almost exclusively used as a girl's name. The Social Security data categorizes it as usually for girls.