Declining since 1992, #2,895 for girls today.
Popularity of Karissa since 1961
Babies named Karissa per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 122 |
| 1970s | 987 |
| 1980s | 3,810 |
| 1990s | 7,446 |
| 2000s | 5,097 |
| 2010s | 2,184 |
| 2020s | 443 |
Meaning & origin
Karissa entered the U.S. naming landscape in 1961, a modern coinage that reflects late-20th-century trends in creating feminine names with the -issa suffix. It reached its peak popularity in 1992, when it was most frequently chosen for newborn girls, but has been on a declining trajectory since then. In 2025, it ranked 2,895th, with an estimated 1 in 27,712 girls receiving the name. Historically, its highest concentrations have been in New York, Texas, and California. While its origins are uncertain, Karissa remains a distinct and relatively uncommon name today.
Karissa first appeared in the United States in the 1960s as part of a trend of names ending in -issa, influenced by names like Clarissa and Marissa. It is likely a modern coinage, possibly created by combining elements from popular names or as a respelling of Carissa. There is no known classical or historical derivation.
Where Karissa 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.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Kari, Rissa, Kara
Sibling names for Karissa
Names that share Karissa's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Karissa
Names whose popularity has moved with Karissa's over the last 50 years.
