Holding steady.
Popularity of Merrissa since 1979
Babies named Merrissa per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 5 |
| 1980s | 61 |
| 1990s | 90 |
| 2000s | 21 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Merrissa is a modern feminine name that first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1979, during a period of creative spelling variants of established names. It saw its peak adoption in 1989, when it was given to approximately 33 baby girls per million, reflecting a broader cultural trend of ornate, multisyllabic feminine names with double consonants. Since then, Merrissa has experienced a steady decline; by 2025, the rate fell below 7 per million births, consistent with a stable trajectory. Its rarity explains why it has never ranked among the top 1,000 names nationally and why no single state stood out as a top-use state. The name remains a distinctive choice, primarily favored by parents seeking a unique spin on the more common Marissa.
Merrissa is a modern variant of Marissa, which itself developed as a combination of Mary or Maria with the suffix -issa, or as a respelling of Maris, meaning 'of the sea.' As a variant spelling, Merrissa emerged in the late 20th century, especially in the United States, following the trend of creating distinctive feminine names with double r's and the -issa ending.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Merri, Rissa, Meri
Sibling names for Merrissa
Names that share Merrissa's style, for a brother or sister.
