Declining since 1987.
Popularity of Malisa since 1885
Babies named Malisa per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 11 |
| 1890s | 10 |
| 1900s | 5 |
| 1910s | 0 |
| 1920s | 0 |
| 1930s | 0 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 36 |
| 1960s | 452 |
| 1970s | 866 |
| 1980s | 512 |
| 1990s | 303 |
| 2000s | 105 |
| 2010s | 34 |
| 2020s | 6 |
Meaning & origin
Malisa is a modern feminine given name that appears to be an English innovation. Its first recorded use in the Social Security data was in 1885, but it never achieved widespread popularity. The name reached its highest usage in 1973, after which it began a steady decline beginning in 1987. With no top states recording significant numbers, Malisa remains a rare choice. The name's appeal likely stems from its melodic sound and kinship with more familiar names like Melissa and Marisa, yet it has never entered the mainstream.
Malisa is a modern coinage, likely influenced by the popularity of names ending in -isa. It may be a variant of Melissa, from Greek melissa meaning 'bee', or a blend of Mary and Lisa. The name saw modest use in the United States from the late 19th century, peaking in the 1970s.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mali, Lisa, Mally
Sibling names for Malisa
Names that share Malisa's style, for a brother or sister.
