"pledged to God"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
Elisa
Pronunciation: [ uhl-EES-uh ]
Does Elisa flow with your last name?
Elizabeth's Italian sister, soft and timeless
Spanish
Italian
Portuguese
Hebrew
American
Classic
Elegant
Gentle
Romantic
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Elisa
3 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"my God is an oath"
Origin: Hebrew Elisheba
Language: Hebrew
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The Story of Elisa
Elisa is a short form of Elisabeth (or Elizabeth), which comes from the Hebrew 'Elisheba,' composed of 'El' (God) and 'sheva' (oath, promise) — meaning 'my God is an oath' or 'pledged to God.' The name entered European languages through the Greek 'Elisavet' and Latin 'Elisabetha.' Elisa is particularly common in Italian and Spanish-speaking cultures.
Elisa has been a popular name in Italy and Spain for centuries. In the US, it gained traction from the 1980s onward, particularly among Hispanic families as a diminutive of the broader Elisabeth family. It remains consistently popular without reaching the heights of Elizabeth or Isabella.
In Italian opera, 'Elisa' is a well-known name — Schubert's song 'An Elisa' (Für Elise) is widely associated with the name, though actually dedicated to an 'Elise.' The name has strong romantic associations in Southern European culture.
Historical Record
Elisa first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 42,750 babies have been named Elisa in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Elisa is a steady classic , currently ranked #434 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Beethoven's famous piano piece 'Für Elise' has made the name synonymous with gentle classical beauty
- Elisa is one of the top-10 most popular names in Italy and Spain
- The name Elisabeth has been used by queens and empresses across Europe for over a millennium
Elisa in Other Languages
French
Élise
German
Elise
Hebrew
אֱלִישֶׁבַע
Italian
Elisa
Spanish
Elisa
Portuguese
Elisa
Popularity Over Time
#434
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Steady Classic
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Elisa
E
Elisa Sednaoui
Other
1987
Italian-Egyptian model and actress who has appeared on international magazine covers and walked for major fashion houses
E
Elisa (singer)
Musician
1977
Italian singer-songwriter who has won the Sanremo Music Festival and is one of Italy's most celebrated pop artists
E
Elisa (The Shape of Water) Fictional
Other
Protagonist of Guillermo del Toro's Oscar-winning film 'The Shape of Water' (2017), played by Sally Hawkins
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Compare Elisa with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #434
- Total SSA Count
- 712
- Cultural Origins
- Spanish Italian Portuguese Hebrew American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Lisa
Eli
Ellie
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, Hebrew 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
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, Hebrew heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, Hebrew heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Elisa
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Elisa is also used as a boy name, ranked #20209.
View Elisa as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Elisa
What does the name Elisa mean?
"pledged to God" (from Hebrew). "my God is an oath" (from Hebrew Elisheba). Elisa is a short form of Elisabeth (or Elizabeth), which comes from the Hebrew 'Elisheba,' composed of 'El' (God) and 'sheva' (oath, promise) — meaning 'my God is an oath' or 'pledged to God.' The name entered European languages through the Greek 'Elisavet' and Latin 'Elisabetha.' Elisa is particularly common in Italian and Spanish-speaking cultures.
What is the origin of the name Elisa?
Elisa has Hebrew, Hebrew Elisheba, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, and American origins. In Hebrew, it means "pledged to God". In Hebrew Elisheba, it means "my God is an oath".
Is Elisa a boy or girl name?
Elisa is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #434. As a boy name, it is ranked #20209. Elisa is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Elisa?
Elisa is pronounced uhl-EES-uh.
How popular is the name Elisa?
Elisa is currently ranked #434 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Elisa?
Common nicknames for Elisa include Lisa, Eli, and Ellie.
What are good middle names for Elisa?
Popular middle name pairings include Elisa Marie, Elisa Grace, Elisa Sofia, Elisa Rose, Elisa Valentina, Elisa Lucia, and Elisa Anne.
What are good sibling names for Elisa?
Names that pair well with Elisa as siblings include Isabella, Valentina, Sofia, Marco, Luca, Giulia, and Matteo.
How many syllables does Elisa have?
Elisa has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Elisa a common or rare name?
Elisa is a popular name, ranked #434 for girls. It is well-known without being overused.
What girl names are similar to Elisa?
About the Name Elisa
Elisa is a girl name with Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Hebrew, and American origins . The name means "pledged to God" in Hebrew .
Is Elisa a boy or girl name? Elisa is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #434 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #20,209. Elisa is more commonly used as a girl name.
Elisa is currently ranked #434 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Elisa has 3 syllables and is pronounced uhl-EES-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Elisa include Lisa, Eli, and Ellie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Elisa include Elise, Elisabeth, Elissa, Elisha, Elisheva . 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