Declining since 1995, #1,673 for girls today.
Popularity of Marissa since 1936
Babies named Marissa per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1930s | 5 |
| 1940s | 21 |
| 1950s | 408 |
| 1960s | 1,475 |
| 1970s | 6,122 |
| 1980s | 21,101 |
| 1990s | 51,214 |
| 2000s | 32,068 |
| 2010s | 7,423 |
| 2020s | 1,005 |
Meaning & origin
Marissa first appeared on U.S. records in 1936, but its real ascent began in the 1970s, peaking at rank 1673 in 1994. Since 1995, its usage has steadily declined; in 2025 it ranks 1673rd with approximately 1 in 13,067 newborns. The name has been most popular in Michigan, Tennessee, and Pennsylvania. Marissa fits a pattern of elaborated feminine names from Latin roots, similar to Melissa and Clarissa, and remains a familiar choice despite its waning frequency.
Marissa is a modern elaboration of the Latin name Maris, meaning 'of the sea.' It emerged in the United States in the early 20th century and gained popularity through the 1970s and 1980s, often seen as a feminine and melodic alternative to Melissa or a variant of Maris. Its rise coincided with a broader trend of elaborated -issa names.
Where Marissa 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.
“Marissa” around the world
Where Marissa lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Rissa, Mari, Missy, Mar
Sibling names for Marissa
Names that share Marissa's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Alyssa, Clarissa, Briana, Tessa, Karina, Andria, Caressa, Cheyanne, Cristal, Desirae, Mallorie, Selina, Allisa, Arica, Arissa, Brissa, Corissa, Devonna, Diandra, Julisa, Lisset, Lorissa, Madysen, Makaela, Merissa, Yulissa, Aricka, Belicia, Carlissa, Carrisa, Carrissa, Casaundra, Cerissa, Chrissa, Clorissa, Daleysa, Delissa, Genessa, Jericka, Jerrika, Julyssa, Krissa, Lanessa, Larinda, Mallary, Marinna, Marlissa, Marysa, Maurica, Melessa, Meliza, Milinda, Vaneza, Amarissa, Aryssa, Cherisse, Correna, Derica, Ericha, Essica, Felisia, Jaretssi, Jarissa, Jonnae, Karrisa, Laressa, Larrissa, Laurisa, Marcina, Maresha, Marlisha, Melicia, Merinda, Mirinda, Mirranda, Moranda, Myrissa, Narissa, Renessa, Salinda, Sheresa, Taressa, Tarissa, Terissa, Terrisa, Tonjia, Turkessa, Ulanda, Vanassa, Darianne, Adeliz, Anaissa, Aritha, Aronda, Carinna, Carnesha, Cassara, Charlissa, Darissa, Desira, Dorlisa, Errika, Gerica, Ilissa, Jarica, Jenissa, Jonessa, Karista, Larrisa, Latissa, Loreena, Manessa, Marenda, Markala, Martasia, Merranda, Natacia, Tabithia, Taccara, Tamantha, Tamirra, Telissa, Trissa, Velisa, Venesa, Venissa, Verenise, Yalissa
Brothers: Julian, Evan, Derek, Nathan, Brandon, Stephon, Jerone, Renardo, Santonio, Alando, Jamarco, Martese, Cordarro, Markice, Marqual, Marvion
Names like Marissa
Names whose popularity has moved with Marissa's over the last 50 years.
