Holding steady.
Popularity of Merisa since 1968
Babies named Merisa per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 6 |
| 1970s | 55 |
| 1980s | 120 |
| 1990s | 231 |
| 2000s | 132 |
| 2010s | 11 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Merisa first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1968, during a period when creative spellings of established names became more common. Its peak year was 1996, though the name has never been widespread. The trajectory has been stable in recent decades, never reaching high enough usage to rank in the top 1000. As a variant of Marisa, it shares roots with the more popular Marissa, which saw a surge in the 1970s and 1980s. Merisa remains a distinctive choice, appealing to parents who want a familiar sound with a unique spelling.
Merisa is a modern respelling of Marisa, which emerged in the 20th century as a combination of Maria and Luisa. Maria derives from the Hebrew name Maryam, often interpreted as 'bitter' or 'rebellious,' while Luisa is the feminine form of Louis, from Germanic Ludwig meaning 'famous warrior.' The variant Merisa became popular in the United States from the 1970s onward, reflecting a trend for creative spellings.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mer, Risa, Meri
Sibling names for Merisa
Names that share Merisa's style, for a brother or sister.
