"citadel, fortress"
Origin: Greek
Language: Greek
Larissa
Pronunciation: [ l-ahr-EES-uh ]
Does Larissa flow with your last name?
A Grecian name from the city of ancient myths
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Meaning & Origin
"cheerful, joyful"
Origin: Greek
Language: English
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The Story of Larissa
Larissa comes from the ancient Greek name Larisa, which was the name of a city in Thessaly, Greece. The city's name may derive from the pre-Greek word 'larissos' meaning citadel or fortress. In Greek mythology, Larissa was also the name of a nymph who was a daughter of Pelasgus, the first man. The name spread through the Byzantine Empire and became popular in Russia as Larisa.
Larissa enjoyed popularity in the United States and Western Europe during the 1970s-1990s, part of a broader trend of Greek and Greco-Roman names. In Brazil, it remains actively popular. The Russian form Larisa gained fame through Boris Pasternak's Doctor Zhivago.
In Russian culture, Larisa is a beloved classic name immortalized in Boris Pasternak's Nobel Prize-winning novel Doctor Zhivago, where the character Lara became an icon of tragic beauty. In Greece, the name honors the ancient city of Larissa, which remains one of Greece's largest cities today.
Historical Record
Larissa first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 23,364 babies have been named Larissa in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Larissa is past its peak , currently ranked #1,616 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Larissa is the name of one of Neptune's moons, discovered in 1981
- The city of Larissa in Greece dates back to at least 2500 BCE
- Neptune's moon Larissa was named after the Greek nymph, not the city
Larissa in Other Languages
Greek
Λάρισα
German
Larissa
Italian
Larissa
Russian
Лариса
Spanish
Larissa
Popularity Over Time
#1,616
Current Rank
Peaked 1994
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Larissa
L
Larissa Riquelme
Other
1985
Paraguayan model and celebrity known for World Cup 2010 fame
L
Larisa Latynina
Athlete
1934
Soviet gymnast who held the record for most Olympic medals (18) for 48 years
L
Lara Antipova Fictional
Other
The iconic character 'Lara' in Boris Pasternak's Doctor Zhivago, one of literature's most famous tragic heroines
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Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #1,616
- Total SSA Count
- 129
- Cultural Origins
- Greek Russian Brazilian German
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Lara
Rissa
Lari
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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Classic pairing, German 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
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, German heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, German heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, German heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Larissa
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Spanish origin
"daisy flower"
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Latin / Greek origin
"sky father's descendant"
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Old Norse origin
"chooser of the slain"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Larissa
What does the name Larissa mean?
"citadel, fortress" (from Greek). "cheerful, joyful" (from Greek). Larissa comes from the ancient Greek name Larisa, which was the name of a city in Thessaly, Greece. The city's name may derive from the pre-Greek word 'larissos' meaning citadel or fortress. In Greek mythology, Larissa was also the name of a nymph who was a daughter of Pelasgus, the first man. The name spread through the Byzantine Empire and became popular in Russia as Larisa.
What is the origin of the name Larissa?
Larissa has Greek, Russian, Brazilian, and German origins. In Greek, it means "citadel, fortress". In Greek, it means "cheerful, joyful".
Is Larissa a boy or girl name?
Larissa is primarily used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Larissa?
Larissa is pronounced l-ahr-EES-uh.
How popular is the name Larissa?
Larissa is currently ranked #1616 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Larissa?
Common nicknames for Larissa include Lara, Rissa, and Lari.
What are good middle names for Larissa?
Popular middle name pairings include Larissa Grace, Larissa Anne, Larissa Marie, Larissa Nicole, Larissa Rose, Larissa Jane, and Larissa Hope.
What are good sibling names for Larissa?
Names that pair well with Larissa as siblings include Marissa, Valeria, Natalia, Dominic, Alexei, Tatiana, and Nikolai.
How many syllables does Larissa have?
Larissa has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Larissa a common or rare name?
Larissa is an uncommon name, ranked #1616 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Larissa?
About the Name Larissa
Larissa is a girl name with Greek, Russian, Brazilian, and German origins . The name means "citadel, fortress" in Greek .
Larissa is currently ranked #1,616 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Larissa has 3 syllables and is pronounced l-ahr-EES-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Larissa include Lara, Rissa, and Lari. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Larissa include Lariyah, Lariah . 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