"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
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Clarissa
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Clarissa
4 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"illustrious, brilliant"
Origin: Latin via Italian
Language: English
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Clarissa
See all →What the Clarissa report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Clarissa the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Clarissa
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Clarissa head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Clarissa actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
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)
Names You Might Also Love
See all →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
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, 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
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
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
Premium
Check how Clarissa fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Boy Name
Clarissa is also used as a boy name, ranked #40718.
View Clarissa as a boy name →Similar Names
See all names like Clarissa →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Clarissa with...
Same Origin Names (English)
See all English names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Clarissa
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Clarissa and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Clarissa sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Gianni
Girl
Hebrew origin
"gift of God"
#1,226 in US
Betty
Girl
Hebrew origin
"my God is abundance"
#1,009 in US
Amarah
Girl
Igbo/Arabic origin
"grace, mercy"
#1,349 in US
Nori
Girl
Japanese origin
"seaweed (edible)"
#1,014 in US
Jianna
Girl
Hebrew origin
"gracious gift of God"
#997 in US
Layne
Girl
Middle English origin
"narrow road or path"
#1,275 in US
Jaylene
Girl
Hebrew (via Jay) origin
"supplanter, held by the heel"
#1,210 in US
Zaira
Girl
Arabic origin
"brightness, radiance"
#1,233 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Clarissa's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
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.
Keep Exploring
Latin clarus Names
Browse all names with this origin
C
Names Starting with C
More girl names like Clarissa
Unique Names
Uncommon names with character
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Girl Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
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