"of the sea"
Origin: Latin
Language: Italian
Marisa
Pronunciation: [ m-uhr-IHS-uh ]
Does Marisa flow with your last name?
A melodic Mediterranean name meaning 'of the sea'
Italian
Spanish
American
Classic
Elegant
Sophisticated
Vintage
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Marisa
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"beloved, wished-for child"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew (via Maria)
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The Story of Marisa
Marisa evolved as an Italian and Spanish variation of Maria, which itself derives from the Latin 'maris' meaning 'of the sea' or from the Hebrew Miriam. It gained popularity in Italy and Spain during the mid-20th century as a melodic alternative to the more formal Maria. The name carries strong Mediterranean roots and evokes images of coastal beauty.
Marisa peaked in American popularity during the 1970s-1990s, boosted by actress Marisa Tomei's Oscar win in 1992. It has since gradually declined but remains a recognized classic.
In Italy and Spain, Marisa is a traditional diminutive form of Maria, often used as an affectionate everyday name. It carries the religious weight of the Madonna while feeling more approachable.
Historical Record
Marisa first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 48,623 babies have been named Marisa in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Marisa is past its peak , currently ranked #3,902 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Marisa Tomei won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1993 for My Cousin Vinny
- The name is used across Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese-speaking cultures with identical spelling
Marisa in Other Languages
French
Marisa
German
Marisa
Italian
Marisa
Spanish
Marisa
Portuguese
Marisa
Popularity Over Time
#3,902
Current Rank
Peaked 1994
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Marisa
M
Marisa Tomei
Actor
1964
Academy Award-winning American actress known for My Cousin Vinny and Spider-Man films
M
Marisa Berenson
Actor
1947
American actress and model known for Cabaret and Barry Lyndon
M
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Compare Marisa with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #3,902
- Total SSA Count
- 38
- Cultural Origins
- Italian Spanish American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Mari
Risa
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, American 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, 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
-
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
Middle Names
Middle Names for Marisa
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Marisa is also used as a boy name, ranked #14480.
View Marisa as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Marisa
What does the name Marisa mean?
"of the sea" (from Latin). "beloved, wished-for child" (from Hebrew). Marisa evolved as an Italian and Spanish variation of Maria, which itself derives from the Latin 'maris' meaning 'of the sea' or from the Hebrew Miriam. It gained popularity in Italy and Spain during the mid-20th century as a melodic alternative to the more formal Maria. The name carries strong Mediterranean roots and evokes images of coastal beauty.
What is the origin of the name Marisa?
Marisa has Latin, Hebrew, Italian, Spanish, and American origins. In Latin, it means "of the sea". In Hebrew, it means "beloved, wished-for child".
Is Marisa a boy or girl name?
Marisa is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #3902. As a boy name, it is ranked #14480. Marisa is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Marisa?
Marisa is pronounced m-uhr-IHS-uh.
How popular is the name Marisa?
Marisa is currently ranked #3902 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Marisa?
Common nicknames for Marisa include Mari and Risa.
What are good middle names for Marisa?
Popular middle name pairings include Marisa Grace, Marisa Joy, Marisa Anne, Marisa Lynn, Marisa Claire, Marisa Rose, and Marisa Jane.
What are good sibling names for Marisa?
Names that pair well with Marisa as siblings include Lucia, Isabella, Marco, Gianna, Elena, Adrian, and Sofia.
How many syllables does Marisa have?
Marisa has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Marisa a common or rare name?
Marisa is an uncommon name, ranked #3902 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Marisa?
About the Name Marisa
Marisa is a girl name with Italian, Spanish, and American origins . The name means "of the sea" in Latin .
Is Marisa a boy or girl name? Marisa is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #3,902 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #14,480. Marisa is more commonly used as a girl name.
Marisa is currently ranked #3,902 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Marisa has 3 syllables and is pronounced m-uhr-IHS-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Marisa include Mari and Risa. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Marisa include Maria, Mariana, Mariah, Mariam, Marie . 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