Clarissa vs Harriet

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Clarissa

Girl #1,160 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"bright, clear, famous"

Origin: Latin clarus

Cultural Roots

English Italian American Portuguese

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,160
Total SSA Count
207
Syllables
3
Formality
Formal
Nicknames
Clar, Rissa, Clary

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Clarissa →

Harriet

Girl #1,154 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"home ruler, estate ruler"

Origin: Germanic via French

Cultural Roots

English American Australian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,154
Total SSA Count
208
Syllables
3
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Hattie, Harry, Hattie

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Harriet →

Popularity Comparison

Clarissa Rank #1,160
Harriet Rank #1,154

Harriet is more popular, ranked #1154 vs #1160 for Clarissa.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Clarissa ___

  • Clarissa Jane
  • Clarissa Rose
  • Clarissa Anne
  • Clarissa Elizabeth
  • Clarissa Violet
  • Clarissa Mae

Harriet ___

  • Harriet Rose
  • Harriet Jane
  • Harriet Louise
  • Harriet Grace
  • Harriet Violet
  • Harriet Wren

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Clarissa

Araminta Cordelia Sebastian Lysander Beatrice

If you choose Harriet

Beatrice Florence Archibald Theodore Millicent

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 Clarissa or Harriet more popular?

Harriet is more popular, ranked #1154 compared to Clarissa at #1160 in the United States.

What do Clarissa and Harriet mean?

Clarissa means "bright, clear, famous" (Latin clarus origin). Harriet means "home ruler, estate ruler" (Germanic via French origin).

Are Clarissa and Harriet boy or girl names?

Clarissa is primarily a girl name. Harriet is primarily a girl name.

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← Full profile: Clarissa ← Full profile: Harriet Browse all baby names