"my God is an oath"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
Elissa
Pronunciation: [ ehl-EES-uh ]
Does Elissa flow with your last name?
Queen Dido's true name, carrying ancient Phoenician power
English
Italian
Lebanese
Hebrew
Classic
Elegant
Gentle
Vintage
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"she-god, divinity (Phoenician interpretation)"
Origin: Phoenician
Language: English
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The Story of Elissa
Elissa carries a remarkable dual heritage. As a variant of Elizabeth (from Hebrew 'Elisheba,' meaning 'my God is an oath'), it connects to one of history's most enduring names. But Elissa is also the birth name of Dido, the legendary Phoenician queen who founded Carthage around 814 BC. Virgil immortalized her in the Aeneid as a tragic heroine whose love for Aeneas ended in her death — making Elissa one of antiquity's most storied names.
Elissa has been popular in Italian, Spanish, and Lebanese communities for generations. In the Arab world, the Lebanese pop star Elissa (Elisabeth Khoury) made the name internationally recognized. In English-speaking countries it gained traction in the 1980s-2000s as an elegant alternative to Alyssa.
Queen Elissa (Dido), founder of Carthage, is one of the ancient world's most celebrated female leaders. In Lebanese and broader Arab culture, the name carries this proud Phoenician heritage alongside the fame of Lebanon's most beloved pop star.
Historical Record
Elissa first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 16,787 babies have been named Elissa in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Elissa is past its peak , currently ranked #1,529 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Elissa was the birth name of Queen Dido, legendary founder of Carthage, whose love story with Aeneas inspired Virgil's Aeneid
- Lebanese singer Elissa is one of the best-selling Arab artists of all time with hundreds of millions of streams
Elissa in Other Languages
Arabic
إليسا
French
Élisa
German
Elisa
Italian
Elissa
Spanish
Elisa
Popularity Over Time
#1,529
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1979
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Elissa
E
Elissa
Musician
1971
Lebanese pop star and one of the most celebrated Arab singers of her generation, known for her powerful ballads
E
Elissa/Dido Fictional
Royalty
Legendary Phoenician queen who founded and ruled Carthage around 814 BC, immortalized in Virgil's Aeneid
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Compare Elissa with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #1,529
- Total SSA Count
- 140
- Cultural Origins
- English Italian Lebanese Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Eli
Lisa
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, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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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, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Elissa
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Old English origin
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Frequently Asked Questions About Elissa
What does the name Elissa mean?
"my God is an oath" (from Hebrew). "she-god, divinity (Phoenician interpretation)" (from Phoenician). Elissa carries a remarkable dual heritage. As a variant of Elizabeth (from Hebrew 'Elisheba,' meaning 'my God is an oath'), it connects to one of history's most enduring names. But Elissa is also the birth name of Dido, the legendary Phoenician queen who founded Carthage around 814 BC. Virgil immortalized her in the Aeneid as a tragic heroine whose love for Aeneas ended in her death — making Elissa one of antiquity's most storied names.
What is the origin of the name Elissa?
Elissa has Hebrew, Phoenician, English, Italian, and Lebanese origins. In Hebrew, it means "my God is an oath". In Phoenician, it means "she-god, divinity (Phoenician interpretation)".
Is Elissa a boy or girl name?
Elissa is primarily used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Elissa?
Elissa is pronounced ehl-EES-uh.
How popular is the name Elissa?
Elissa is currently ranked #1529 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Elissa?
Common nicknames for Elissa include Eli, Lisa, and Ellie.
What are good middle names for Elissa?
Popular middle name pairings include Elissa Rose, Elissa Ann, Elissa Marie, Elissa Joy, Elissa Kate, Elissa Grace, and Elissa Renee.
What are good sibling names for Elissa?
Names that pair well with Elissa as siblings include Isabella, Adriana, Celeste, Sebastian, Marco, Valentina, and Lucian.
How many syllables does Elissa have?
Elissa has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Elissa a common or rare name?
Elissa is an uncommon name, ranked #1529 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Elissa?
About the Name Elissa
Elissa is a girl name with English, Italian, Lebanese, and Hebrew origins . The name means "my God is an oath" in Hebrew .
Elissa is currently ranked #1,529 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Elissa has 3 syllables and is pronounced ehl-EES-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Elissa include Eli, Lisa, and Ellie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Elissa include Elise, Elisa, Elisabeth, 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