Declining since 1989.
Popularity of Jelisa since 1980
Babies named Jelisa per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 312 |
| 1990s | 602 |
| 2000s | 132 |
| 2010s | 38 |
| 2020s | 14 |
Meaning & origin
Jelisa emerged as a distinctive modern name in the United States in 1980, part of a wave of invented names created by blending popular syllables. Its peak year was 1989, after which its use steadily declined. Although it has never ranked in the top 1000, it reflects the creative naming trends of its decade. The trajectory of Jelisa has been falling since 1989, indicating its moment of popularity has passed. Today, it remains an uncommon choice, with no strong ties to any particular state. Its unclear etymology adds an air of mystery, but it is undeniably a product of its time in American nomenclature.
Jelisa first appeared in the United States in the early 1980s, coinciding with a trend of creating novel names by blending popular sounds and syllables. It may be influenced by Melissa (Greek for 'honey bee') or Felicia (Latin for 'happy'), or formed from the popular prefix 'Je-' (as in Jennifer) combined with '-lisa' (from Lisa). Its usage peaked in 1989 and has since declined.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Jeli, Lisa, Jelly
Sibling names for Jelisa
Names that share Jelisa's style, for a brother or sister.
