MallowbyNames

Talissa

tah-LISS-ah · Of uncertain origin; possibly a modern invented name or a feminine form of Talis.

Peak popularity
1990
Usually for
Girls
Trend
Holding steady

Holding steady.

Popularity of Talissa since 1971

Babies named Talissa per year in U.S. Social Security records.

102131198020002020Most births 1990Girls
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirls
1970s31
1980s78
1990s163
2000s116
2010s18
2020s0

Meaning & origin

Talissa is a rare modern name that first appeared in U.S. records in 1971, reflecting the trend of inventive names in the late 20th century. Its popularity peaked in 1990, though it never entered the top 1000, and usage has remained stable since then. The name's exact meaning is unclear, but its structure suggests it was likely crafted from appealing sounds: the 'Tal-' beginning seen in nature-connected names like Talia, and the '-issa' ending common in feminized forms. Because Talissa has never ranked nationally, each birth represents an uncommon choice. Its modern origin and lack of historical baggage make it a fresh but obscure option, typical of the era's creative naming patterns.

Talissa first appeared in the United States in the early 1970s, suggesting a modern coinage. It may have been formed by combining the popular prefix 'Tal-' (as in Talia) with the feminine suffix '-issa'. Alternatively, it could be a variant of Talisa, which itself is sometimes considered a blend of Talia and Lisa. No ancient or traditional etymology has been established.

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Tali, Lissa, Tally

Variants: Talisa, Talyssa, Talishia

Sibling names for Talissa

Names that share Talissa's style, for a brother or sister.

Sisters: Malia, Amaya, Sienna, Liana, Kiara

Brothers: Elijah, Caleb, Liam, Noah, Ethan

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

T is for Talissa, our favorite little girl.

T is for Talissa…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Talissa's letter becomes Talissa's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Talissa's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does the name Talissa mean?
The meaning of Talissa is uncertain. It is likely a modern invented name, possibly formed from the prefix 'Tal-' and the suffix '-issa', or a variant of Talisa.
How popular is Talissa today?
Talissa has never ranked in the top 1000 U.S. names. Its peak year was 1990, suggesting it was most popular then but still very rare.
Is Talissa a girl's name?
Yes, Talissa is almost exclusively used as a girl's name, as indicated by the U.S. data since its first recorded use in 1971.