Declining since 2010.
Popularity of Jolissa since 1979
Babies named Jolissa per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 5 |
| 1980s | 40 |
| 1990s | 104 |
| 2000s | 121 |
| 2010s | 116 |
| 2020s | 25 |
Meaning & origin
Jolissa is a modern American invention, first appearing in U.S. birth records in 1979. It reached its peak popularity in 1988, when it was given to roughly 28 girls. Like many fabrications of its era, Jolissa combines the sounds of familiar names (Jolene, Melissa) into a fresh, melodic form. Its trajectory has been steadily falling since 2010, reflecting a broader shift away from names that peaked in the late 80s. Though never a common name, Jolissa remains in occasional use, appealing to parents who prefer a distinctive yet intuitive choice. It does not appear among the top names in any state.
Jolissa is a modern coinage, first recorded in United States Social Security Administration data in 1979. It appears to be a blend of familiar names such as Jolene (a combination of Jo and the suffix -lene) and Melissa (from Greek melissa 'bee'), or possibly a variant of Marissa (a Spanish elaboration of Maria) with an initial J. The name enjoyed a modest popularity peak in 1988. As a primarily American invention, it lacks a long historical or linguistic pedigree and is best understood as a stylish, phonetic creation of the late 20th century.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Joli, Lissa, Josie
Sibling names for Jolissa
Names that share Jolissa's style, for a brother or sister.
