Nissa

Meaning & origin

Nissa is a modern American name that first appeared in recorded data in 1968. It reached its peak rank in 1974, when it was given to a small but notable number of girls. Since 1986, its usage has been declining, though it remains in occasional use. In 2025, it held a rank of 14,942, with an incidence of approximately 1 in 321,453 newborns. The name's origins are uncertain, but it may be a creative variant of Nyssa or a diminutive of longer names like Anissa. This ambiguity adds to its appeal for parents seeking a distinctive and melodic name without a heavy historical or cultural weight. Nissa has never been a Top 1000 name, but its rarity is part of its charm for those who choose it.

Nissa is a modern coinage that appears to have emerged in the United States in the late 1960s. It may be a shortened form of names such as Anissa or a creative spelling of Nyssa, which is a Greek name meaning 'goal' or 'beginning.' Its usage has been modest, with a peak in the 1970s. The name has no long historical tradition, reflecting the trend of invented or adapted names in the 20th century.