"grace, kindness"
Origin: Greek
Language: English
Karissa
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A graceful name from the Greek word for charisma
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Meaning & Origin
"beloved, dear"
Origin: Latin
Language: English
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The Story of Karissa
Karissa is a variant of Carissa, derived from the Greek "kharis" (χάρις) meaning "grace" or "kindness." The root kharis is also the source of "charity" and "charisma" in English. The name may also be related to the Latin "carus" meaning "beloved" or "dear."
Karissa and Carissa were most popular in the United States in the 1980s and 1990s as part of a broader trend of names ending in -issa (Melissa, Clarissa, Marissa). Both spellings have declined since then.
The Greek concept of kharis (grace, favor) was central to ancient Greek religion and culture. The Charites (Graces) were the goddesses of charm, beauty, and creativity in Greek mythology — Aglaia, Euphrosyne, and Thalia.
Historical Record
Karissa first appeared in US Social Security records in 1961.
Over 20,026 babies have been named Karissa in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Karissa is past its peak , currently ranked #2,663 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The word charisma shares its Greek root (kharis) with Karissa
- The Three Graces of Greek mythology personify the qualities embedded in this name: beauty, charm, and creativity
Karissa in Other Languages
Greek
Χάρισσα
French
Carissa
Italian
Carissa
Spanish
Carisa
Popularity Over Time
#2,663
Current Rank
Peaked 1991
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Karissa
C
Carissa Moore
Athlete
1992
Hawaiian professional surfer and first Olympic women's surfing gold medalist (Tokyo 2020)
K
Karissa Shannon
Other
1989
American model and reality television personality
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #2,663
- Total SSA Count
- 65
- Cultural Origins
- English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Kari
Rissa
Kris
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, 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, 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, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Karissa
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sounds Like Karissa
Phonetic neighbors that share Karissa's rhythm, vowel shape, or consonant cluster. Tap any name to see its full "names like" list.
Sibling Match
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Frequently Asked Questions About Karissa
What does the name Karissa mean?
"grace, kindness" (from Greek). "beloved, dear" (from Latin). Karissa is a variant of Carissa, derived from the Greek "kharis" (χάρις) meaning "grace" or "kindness." The root kharis is also the source of "charity" and "charisma" in English. The name may also be related to the Latin "carus" meaning "beloved" or "dear."
What is the origin of the name Karissa?
Karissa has Greek, Latin, English, and American origins. In Greek, it means "grace, kindness". In Latin, it means "beloved, dear".
Is Karissa a boy or girl name?
Karissa is primarily used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Karissa?
Karissa is currently ranked #2663 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Karissa?
Common nicknames for Karissa include Kari, Rissa, and Kris.
What are good middle names for Karissa?
Popular middle name pairings include Karissa Lynn, Karissa Marie, Karissa Anne, Karissa Grace, Karissa Nicole, Karissa Dawn, and Karissa Hope.
What are good sibling names for Karissa?
Names that pair well with Karissa as siblings include Marissa, Brianna, Ryan, Tyler, Melissa, Jordan, and Calista.
How many syllables does Karissa have?
Karissa has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Karissa a common or rare name?
Karissa is an uncommon name, ranked #2663 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Karissa?
Browse all middle names, sibling names, or similar names.
About the Name Karissa
Karissa is a girl name with English and American origins . The name means "grace, kindness" in Greek .
Karissa is currently ranked #2,663 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Karissa has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Karissa include Kari, Rissa, and Kris. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Karissa include Karina, Kari, Karis, Kariyah, Karime . 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