Cara vs Marissa

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Marissa

Girl #1,496 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"beloved, variant of Maria"

Origin: Latin

Cultural Roots

American English Italian Spanish

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,496
Total SSA Count
145
Syllables
3
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Rissa, Mari, Marri

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Marissa →

Popularity Comparison

Cara Rank #1,298
Marissa Rank #1,496

Cara is more popular, ranked #1298 vs #1496 for Marissa.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Cara ___

  • Cara Rose
  • Cara Ann
  • Cara Louise
  • Cara Elizabeth
  • Cara Jane
  • Cara Mia

Marissa ___

  • Marissa Anne
  • Marissa Lynn
  • Marissa Grace
  • Marissa Elizabeth
  • Marissa Nicole
  • Marissa Marie

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Cara

Fiona Siobhan Declan Liam Erin

If you choose Marissa

Melissa Vanessa Cassandra Jessica Brandon

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cara or Marissa more popular?

Cara is more popular, ranked #1298 compared to Marissa at #1496 in the United States.

What do Cara and Marissa mean?

Cara means "dear one, beloved" (Italian/Latin origin). Marissa means "beloved, variant of Maria" (Latin origin).

Are Cara and Marissa boy or girl names?

Cara is primarily a girl name. Marissa is primarily a girl name.

More Comparisons

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← Full profile: Cara ← Full profile: Marissa Browse all baby names