Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Alissa

Alissa is an English contracted form of Alicia. Alicia in turn is a modern Latinate form of Alice. Alice is a variant of “Adelaide” which is an Old French spelling of the ancient Germanic female name “Adaheidis” – composed of the elements “adal” (noble) and “heid” (kind, type). Adaheidis is one of those old, old names that has given birth to many off-shoot names since medieval times: Alice, Alison, Alicia, and Alissa are among them. The names Alyssa and Alissa are more modern renditions of Alice/Alicia and didn’t come on to the naming scene in any significant way until the latter half of the 20th century.

All About the Baby Name – Alissa

Personality

OF THE GIRL NAME ALISSA

The number Seven personality is deeply mystical and highly in tune with their spirituality. They operate on a different wavelength than the average joe. Spending time alone comes easily to Sevens, as it gives them time to contemplate philosophical, religious and spiritual ideas in an effort to find "real truth".  Sevens are wise, but often exude mystery as if they are tapped into something the rest of us don't understand. They love the outdoors and are fed by nature. Sevens are constantly seeking to understand human nature, our place in the universe, and the mystery of life in general. This makes them quite artistic and poetic, but they are also keen observers with high intellect - so they are equally scientific-minded. Sevens are charitable and care deeply about the human condition.

Popularity

OF THE GIRL NAME ALISSA

Alissa has basically ridden the popularity wave of Alyssa since the 1960s. The name was first introduced to the American female naming charts in 1966 following Alyssa which made her debut in 1963. Actually, Alisa with one “s” was first to the scene in 1953. So this name has pretty modern roots in America. Alyssa is by far and away the most preferred spelling of this name (in fact 90% of the parents out there opt for Alyssa and only 7% for Alissa). Alyssa is even more popular than both Alice and Alicia today. Alissa is a pretty name that sounds contemporary and feminine. If you like the “-lissa” suffix you also might want to consider Melissa or Julissa. And as we mention above, the Alissa names come from Adelaide originally, while the “Elisa” names come from Elizabeth. They sound similar but have very different roots.

Quick Facts

ON ALISSA

GENDER:

Girl

ORIGIN:

English

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

3

RANKING POPULARITY:

731

PRONUNCIATION:

ah-LIS-ah

SIMPLE MEANING:

Noble one

Characteristics

OF ALISSA

Mystical

Wise

Eccentric

Intuitive

Imaginative

Philosophical

Solitary

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Alissa

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME ALISSA

We cannot find any significant literary characters by the name of Alissa

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME ALISSA

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Alissa


Popular Songs

ON ALISSA

We cannot find any popular or well-known songs with the name of Alissa


Famous People

NAMED ALISSA

Alissa Czisny (figure skater)
Alissa York (writer)

Children of Famous People

NAMED ALISSA

We cannot find any children of famous people with the first name Alissa

Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME ALISSA

We cannot find any historically significant people with the first name Alissa