MallowbyNames

Karisa

kuh-REE-suh · Beloved; precious; of uncertain origin, possibly a variant of Carissa or a modern coinage

Peak popularity
1992
Usually for
Girls
Trend
Rising since 2020

Rising since 2020.

Popularity of Karisa since 1961

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

54107161198020002020Most births 1992Girls
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirls
1960s42
1970s374
1980s717
1990s1,017
2000s456
2010s144
2020s23

Meaning & origin

Karisa is a modern feminine name that first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1961. Though it has never cracked the top 1,000 names nationally, it experienced a modest peak in 1992, when it was most frequently given. In recent years, its usage has been rising again since 2020, suggesting renewed interest. The name is primarily associated with girls and is often considered a creative variant of Carissa, blending familiar sounds with a contemporary feel. Its top states are not concentrated regionally, indicating broad but sparse use across the country.

Karisa is a modern feminine name that likely arose in the 20th century as a variant of Carissa or as a blend of popular name elements like Kara and Lisa. It first appeared in U.S. records in 1961 and saw modest use during the 1990s. The name has no clear ancient derivation, and its meaning is often associated with 'beloved' or 'precious' by analogy with similar-sounding names.

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Kari, Risa, Kara

Variants: Carisa, Karissa, Carissa

Sibling names for Karisa

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

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

K is for Karisa, our favorite little girl.

K is for Karisa…”

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

Make Karisa's book

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

Questions parents ask

What does the name Karisa mean?
Karisa is often interpreted as 'beloved' or 'precious,' though its origin is uncertain and likely modern, possibly derived from names like Carissa.
How popular is the name Karisa?
Karisa has never ranked among the top 1,000 names in the U.S. It peaked in popularity in 1992 and has been rising again since 2020.
Is Karisa a boy's or girl's name?
Karisa is almost exclusively used as a girl's name, as reflected in U.S. data.