Girl · 105th of 35,406
Marissa
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
120,981
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1994
Peak Popularity Year
6,259
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Marissa stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Marissa has Latin origins, meaning 'of the sea' and is also associated with the name 'Maria', which signifies 'beloved'. The name has evolved from 'Maria' to 'Maris' and finally to 'Marissa'. It gained popularity in the late 20th century and is often associated with creativity and charm. There is no biblical relevance connected to this name.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/məˈrɪsə/
Origin
Latin
Etymology
Marissa is derived from the Latin name 'Maris', which means 'of the sea'. It is also thought to be a diminutive of the name 'Maria', which has roots in Hebrew and means 'beloved' or 'wished for child'.
Meaning
of the sea, beloved
Language Evolution
Maria, Maris, Marissa
Historical Usage
Marissa gained popularity in the United States during the late 20th century, particularly in the 1980s and 1990s, as it became a fashionable name for girls.
Variants & Derivatives
Marisa, Maris, Mara
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Marissa is perceived as a modern and elegant name, often associated with individuals who are creative and charismatic.
Famous People
Marissa Mayer - former CEO of Yahoo, Marissa Jaret Winokur - actress and Broadway star, Marissa Tomei - Academy Award-winning actress
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Gradually Declining
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 6,259 peak births in 1994
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in New Mexico
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 9 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 12 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
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
Full popularity table across American generations 9 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 6839th of 10718 | 29 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 4396th of 16616 | 175 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 11288th of 24088 | 66 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 9204th of 9204 | 5 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 1469th of 12526 | 946 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 407th of 19264 | 8,483 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 91st of 27321 | 56,505 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 105th of 35406 | 50,259 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 750th of 30306 | 4,513 |