"best, excellence"
Origin: Greek
Language: English
Arissa
Does Arissa flow with your last name?
A melodious Greek-inspired name with timeless elegance
American
English
Elegant
Unique
Modern
Gentle
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Arissa
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"variant of Larissa, city in Greece"
Origin: Greek
Language: Greek
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The Story of Arissa
Arissa is most likely a modern variant of Larissa, itself a Greek name of uncertain origin — possibly named after the ancient city of Larissa in Thessaly, Greece. Some interpretations link it to the Greek word 'arison' meaning best, or derive it as a feminine form of Aris (a short form of Aristotle, meaning excellence). Arissa has also been connected to the Sanskrit word 'arish' meaning free from sorrow. As a standalone name, it has gained popularity in English-speaking countries as a melodious modern creation.
Arissa emerged as a distinctive variant of Larissa and Marissa in the late 20th century, appealing to parents who wanted something with a familiar sound but more uncommon spelling. It has maintained a quiet, steady following.
The name reflects a trend of creating uniquely feminine names with the flowing 'issa' ending, popular in American naming culture. It carries the elegance of classical Greek names without being widely recognized.
Historical Record
Arissa first appeared in US Social Security records in 1970.
Over 2,458 babies have been named Arissa in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Arissa is past its peak , currently ranked #4,725 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Arissa shares roots with the ancient Greek city of Larissa, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe
- The nickname Rissa is shared with the kittiwake seabird genus Rissa, named for its call
Arissa in Other Languages
Greek
Αρίσσα
French
Arissa
Italian
Arissa
Spanish
Arissa
Popularity Over Time
#4,725
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 2003
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Arissa
A
Arissa Hall
Other
Reality TV personality who appeared on Rob & Big on MTV
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Compare Arissa with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #4,725
- Total SSA Count
- 29
- Cultural Origins
- American English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Rissa
Ari
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Arissa
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Frequently Asked Questions About Arissa
What does the name Arissa mean?
"best, excellence" (from Greek). "variant of Larissa, city in Greece" (from Greek). Arissa is most likely a modern variant of Larissa, itself a Greek name of uncertain origin — possibly named after the ancient city of Larissa in Thessaly, Greece. Some interpretations link it to the Greek word 'arison' meaning best, or derive it as a feminine form of Aris (a short form of Aristotle, meaning excellence). Arissa has also been connected to the Sanskrit word 'arish' meaning free from sorrow. As a standalone name, it has gained popularity in English-speaking countries as a melodious modern creation.
What is the origin of the name Arissa?
Arissa has Greek, American, and English origins. In Greek, it means "best, excellence". In Greek, it means "variant of Larissa, city in Greece".
Is Arissa a boy or girl name?
Arissa is primarily used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Arissa?
Arissa is currently ranked #4725 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Arissa?
Common nicknames for Arissa include Rissa and Ari.
What are good middle names for Arissa?
Popular middle name pairings include Arissa Mae, Arissa Rose, Arissa Claire, Arissa Grace, Arissa Lynn, Arissa Nicole, and Arissa Jade.
What are good sibling names for Arissa?
Names that pair well with Arissa as siblings include Elara, Marissa, Thalia, Levi, Orion, and Jasper.
How many syllables does Arissa have?
Arissa has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Arissa a common or rare name?
Arissa is an uncommon name, ranked #4725 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Arissa?
About the Name Arissa
Arissa is a girl name with American and English origins . The name means "best, excellence" in Greek .
Arissa is currently ranked #4,725 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Arissa has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Arissa include Rissa and Ari. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Arissa include Arisbeth, Aris, Arisha . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis