Issa

Pronunciation: [ IHS-uh ]

Girl Name #2,286 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

Ancient sacred name bridging Islam, Africa, and the West

Arabic Swahili East African Islamic French

Spiritual Exotic Global Soft Unique

Meaning & Origin

"God is salvation, God saves"

Origin: Arabic form of Aramaic Yeshua

Language: Arabic

"God saves"

Origin: Swahili tradition

Language: Swahili

The Story of Issa

Issa is the Arabic form of Jesus, derived from the Aramaic Yeshua meaning God is salvation or God saves. In the Quran, Issa is the name given to Jesus, making it a name of deep religious significance in Islam. In Swahili-speaking East Africa, Issa is also used as a standalone name meaning God saves. In France and Francophone Africa, Issa appears as a given name, particularly common in West African communities.

Issa has been gaining popularity globally as a gender-neutral and cross-cultural name. In the United States, actress and writer Issa Rae brought significant visibility to the name, particularly for girls, through her Emmy-nominated HBO series Insecure.

Issa holds profound spiritual meaning across Islamic cultures as the Quranic name for Jesus, one of the most revered prophets in Islam. In East Africa it carries religious and cultural weight, while in Western cultures it is appreciated for its simplicity and exotic sound.

Fun Facts

Issa is the Quranic name for Jesus, making it one of the most spiritually significant names in Islam
Actress Issa Rae creator and star of Insecure significantly raised the profile of this name in the United States
Issa is used across multiple continents, appearing in Arabic, Swahili, French and West African naming traditions

Issa in Other Languages

Hausa Isa

Arabic عيسى

French Issa

Persian Isa

Swahili Issa

Famous People Named Issa

Issa Diop

Athlete

1997

French professional footballer who plays as a centre-back in the Premier League

Issa Rae

Actor

1985

American actress, writer and producer known for creating and starring in HBO Insecure, a groundbreaking comedy series

Quick Facts

Gender: Girl
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #2,286
Total SSA Count: 81
Cultural Origins: Arabic Swahili East African Islamic French
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: Moderate

Alternative Spellings

Issabella #4638

Common Nicknames

Pairs Well With

Issa Marie Issa Rose Issa Amara Issa Fatima Issa Grace Issa Nour Issa Jade

Sibling Names

Amara Zara Nadia Layla Kofi Mia Lena Yasmin

Also a Boy Name

Issa is also used as a boy name, ranked #1533.

View Issa as a boy name →

Similar Names

Lizzie Melissa Elise Liza Elisa Isa Asa Isa

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

Can't decide?

Start a tournament bracket with Issa and other names you're considering.

Start a Tournament

Like this name?

Check how Issa sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.

Analyze This Name

Browse more girl names →

Explore 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

Frequently Asked Questions About Issa

What does the name Issa mean?

"God is salvation, God saves" (from Arabic form of Aramaic Yeshua). "God saves" (from Swahili tradition). Issa is the Arabic form of Jesus, derived from the Aramaic Yeshua meaning God is salvation or God saves. In the Quran, Issa is the name given to Jesus, making it a name of deep religious significance in Islam. In Swahili-speaking East Africa, Issa is also used as a standalone name meaning God saves. In France and Francophone Africa, Issa appears as a given name, particularly common in West African communities.

What is the origin of the name Issa?

Issa has Arabic form of Aramaic Yeshua, Swahili tradition, Arabic, Swahili, East African, Islamic, and French origins. In Arabic form of Aramaic Yeshua, it means "God is salvation, God saves". In Swahili tradition, it means "God saves".

Is Issa a boy or girl name?

Issa is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #2286. As a boy name, it is ranked #1533. Issa is more commonly used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Issa?

Issa is pronounced IHS-uh.

How popular is the name Issa?

Issa is currently ranked #2286 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Issa?

Common nicknames for Issa include Is.

What are good middle names for Issa?

Popular middle name pairings include Issa Marie, Issa Rose, Issa Amara, Issa Fatima, Issa Grace, Issa Nour, and Issa Jade.

What are good sibling names for Issa?

Names that pair well with Issa as siblings include Amara, Zara, Nadia, Layla, Kofi, Mia, Lena, and Yasmin.

How many syllables does Issa have?

Issa has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Issa a common or rare name?

Issa is an uncommon name, ranked #2286 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Issa

Issa is a girl name with Arabic, Swahili, East African, Islamic, and French origins . The name means "God is salvation, God saves" in Arabic form of Aramaic Yeshua .

Is Issa a boy or girl name? Issa is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #2,286 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #1,533. Issa is more commonly used as a boy name.

Issa is currently ranked #2,286 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

The name Issa has 2 syllables and is pronounced IHS-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Issa include Is. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

Alternative spellings of Issa include Issabella . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.