Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Lisa originated from the Hebrew name Elisheba, meaning 'God is my oath.' It evolved through various forms such as Elizabeth and Liza before becoming widely used as Lisa. The name is associated with positive traits and does not have a direct biblical relevance. It gained significant popularity in the mid-20th century and remains a classic name today.
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈliːsə/
Origin
Hebrew
Etymology
Lisa is derived from the Hebrew name Elisheba, which means 'God is my oath.' It is often considered a diminutive of Elizabeth.
Meaning
God is my oath
Language Evolution
Elisheba, Elizabeth, Liza, Lisa
Historical Usage
The name Lisa gained popularity in the mid-20th century, particularly in the United States and other English-speaking countries.
Variants & Derivatives
Liza, Eliza, Elizabeth
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Lisa is perceived as a classic and timeless name, often associated with warmth and friendliness.
Famous People
Lisa Kudrow, Lisa Bonet, Lisa Marie Presley
📊 Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Name Visualizations
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 60,446 peak births in 1965
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Rhode Island
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 11 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Alternative Spellings & Similar Sounds (15 Variations)
Explore names that share identical pronunciation with different spellings. These variations offer alternative options for parents seeking unique yet familiar-sounding choices. This curated collection includes 15 carefully selected variations that maintain the same phonetic sound while providing distinct spelling options.
Why consider alternative spellings? Different spellings can offer unique cultural significance or personal preference while maintaining the familiar sound. This collection covers various spelling patterns, helping you find variations that match your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 1254th of 7552 | 711 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 810th of 10718 | 1,635 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 2380th of 16616 | 431 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 22197th of 24088 | 7 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 2165th of 9107 | 285 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 825th of 9204 | 1,384 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 19th of 12526 | 330,436 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 2nd of 19264 | 508,537 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 43rd of 27321 | 110,361 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 406th of 35406 | 12,242 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 880th of 30306 | 3,702 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
40.82% 909th/2227 |
31.81% 773rd/2430 |
58.96% 1682nd/2853 |
35.89% 996th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
25.09% 737th/2937 |
18.03% 628th/3483 |
28.11% 989th/3518 |
22.95% 928th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
55.28% 2037th/3685 |
53.68% 2402nd/4475 |
41.30% 2145th/5194 |
40.18% 2538th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- |
71.72% 989th/1379 |
- | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
52.13% 806th/1546 |
32.65% 508th/1556 |
53.97% 1270th/2353 |
40.79% 631st/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
0.94% 21st/2227 |
0.70% 17th/2430 |
0.77% 22nd/2853 |
0.61% 17th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
0.07% 2nd/2937 |
0.06% 2nd/3483 |
0.09% 3rd/3518 |
0.07% 3rd/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
1.17% 43rd/3685 |
0.80% 36th/4475 |
1.04% 54th/5194 |
0.71% 45th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
9.06% 415th/4582 |
6.12% 316th/5164 |
6.33% 463rd/7313 |
5.48% 409th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
21.94% 874th/3984 |
17.54% 787th/4487 |
15.49% 1057th/6822 |
12.79% 803rd/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity
This map shows relative popularity across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends in the United States
This name shows strongest popularity in Rhode Island across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Generation X (Gen X) generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, usage has been stalled for male in MidWest, falling for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, too falling for female in South, stalled for male in West, too falling for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. Across generations, popularity patterns vary significantly: Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 1254th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 810th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 2380th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 22197th out of 24088 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 2165th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 825th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 19th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 2nd out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 43rd out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 406th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 880th out of 30306 names. Explore how this name has evolved through American history with comprehensive regional and generational analysis.