"bright, clear, famous"
Origin: Latin clarus
Language: English
Clarissa
Pronunciation: [ kl-er-IHS-uh ]
Does Clarissa flow with your last name?
An 18th-century literary heroine with timeless elegance
English
Italian
American
Portuguese
Classic
Elegant
Literary
Sophisticated
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
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4 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"illustrious, brilliant"
Origin: Latin via Italian
Language: English
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The Story of Clarissa
Clarissa is a Latinate elaboration of Clara, from the Latin 'clarus,' meaning bright, clear, or famous. The '-issa' suffix adds length and femininity, creating a more elaborate form that was fashionable in 18th-century Europe. The name was immortalized by Samuel Richardson's 1748 epistolary novel Clarissa, one of the longest novels in the English language and a foundational work of English literature.
Clarissa was an upper-class name in 18th and 19th century England, associated with Richardson's novel. It declined in the 20th century but gained new recognition from the 1991–1994 Nickelodeon series Clarissa Explains It All, starring Melissa Joan Hart, which introduced it to Gen X and millennial parents. It remains a sophisticated choice for parents who love old-fashioned formality.
Richardson's Clarissa (1748) is a foundational text of the English novel, exploring female virtue and autonomy in a way that was revolutionary for its time. The Nickelodeon series Clarissa Explains It All made the name recognizable to American children of the 1990s as a cool, witty, independent girl's name.
Historical Record
Clarissa first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 37,211 babies have been named Clarissa in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Clarissa is past its peak , currently ranked #1,160 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Samuel Richardson's Clarissa (1748) is approximately 1 million words long — one of the longest novels ever written in English
- Clarissa Explains It All (1991–1994) was one of Nickelodeon's breakout shows and starred a young Melissa Joan Hart
- Virginia Woolf's Mrs Dalloway features a protagonist named Clarissa Dalloway, cementing the literary pedigree
Clarissa in Other Languages
Latin
Clarissa
French
Clarisse
Italian
Clarissa
Spanish
Clarisa
Portuguese
Clarissa
Popularity Over Time
#1,160
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1994
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Clarissa
C
Clarissa Ward
Journalist
1980
CNN chief international correspondent known for her courageous frontline reporting from conflict zones
C
Clarissa Dalloway Fictional
Other
The protagonist of Virginia Woolf's 1925 modernist novel Mrs Dalloway, one of literature's most studied characters
C
Clarissa Darling Fictional
Other
The witty, wall-breaking protagonist of Nickelodeon's Clarissa Explains It All (1991–1994)
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Compare Clarissa with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #1,160
- Total SSA Count
- 207
- Cultural Origins
- English Italian American Portuguese
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Clar
Rissa
Clary
Lissy
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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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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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, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Clarissa
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Clarissa is also used as a boy name, ranked #40718.
View Clarissa as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Clarissa
What does the name Clarissa mean?
"bright, clear, famous" (from Latin clarus). "illustrious, brilliant" (from Latin via Italian). Clarissa is a Latinate elaboration of Clara, from the Latin 'clarus,' meaning bright, clear, or famous. The '-issa' suffix adds length and femininity, creating a more elaborate form that was fashionable in 18th-century Europe. The name was immortalized by Samuel Richardson's 1748 epistolary novel Clarissa, one of the longest novels in the English language and a foundational work of English literature.
What is the origin of the name Clarissa?
Clarissa has Latin clarus, Latin via Italian, English, Italian, American, and Portuguese origins. In Latin clarus, it means "bright, clear, famous". In Latin via Italian, it means "illustrious, brilliant".
Is Clarissa a boy or girl name?
Clarissa is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #1160. As a boy name, it is ranked #40718. Clarissa is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Clarissa?
Clarissa is pronounced kl-er-IHS-uh.
How popular is the name Clarissa?
Clarissa is currently ranked #1160 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Clarissa?
Common nicknames for Clarissa include Clar, Rissa, Clary, and Lissy.
What are good middle names for Clarissa?
Popular middle name pairings include Clarissa Jane, Clarissa Rose, Clarissa Anne, Clarissa Elizabeth, Clarissa Violet, and Clarissa Mae.
What are good sibling names for Clarissa?
Names that pair well with Clarissa as siblings include Araminta, Cordelia, Sebastian, Lysander, Beatrice, and Cosimo.
How many syllables does Clarissa have?
Clarissa has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Clarissa a common or rare name?
Clarissa is an uncommon name, ranked #1160 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Clarissa?
About the Name Clarissa
Clarissa is a girl name with English, Italian, American, and Portuguese origins . The name means "bright, clear, famous" in Latin clarus .
Is Clarissa a boy or girl name? Clarissa is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #1,160 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #40,718. Clarissa is more commonly used as a girl name.
Clarissa is currently ranked #1,160 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Clarissa has 3 syllables and is pronounced kl-er-IHS-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Clarissa include Clar, Rissa, Clary, and Lissy. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Clarissa include Clara, Clare, Clarke, Clarice, Clarity . 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