Declining since 1985, #8,362 for girls today.
Popularity of Lissa since 1923
Babies named Lissa per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1920s | 5 |
| 1930s | 8 |
| 1940s | 137 |
| 1950s | 761 |
| 1960s | 989 |
| 1970s | 693 |
| 1980s | 597 |
| 1990s | 404 |
| 2000s | 180 |
| 2010s | 131 |
| 2020s | 74 |
Meaning & origin
Lissa has seen a long but modest history in U.S. naming records, first recorded in 1923 and reaching its peak popularity in 1963. Since 1985, its usage has been steadily falling. The name currently ranks 8,362 as of 2025, with roughly 1 in 133,939 baby girls receiving the name. While not concentrated in any particular state, Lissa's trajectory reflects a broader decline in diminutive names from mid-century peaks.
Lissa is most commonly considered a diminutive or variant of Melissa, which comes from the Greek word melissa meaning 'honey bee.' Alternatively, it may have developed as a standalone name from Lisa, a short form of Elizabeth. The name saw modest popularity in the United States beginning in the early 20th century, peaking in the 1960s.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Lis, Liss
Sibling names for Lissa
Names that share Lissa's style, for a brother or sister.
