Rissa

“To laugh or to smile, derived from 'Risa'.”

American origin · Girl name

♂ 3% boys♀ 97% girls

#13300US 2022

7Births / yr

↓Falling

300All-time births

📅 Since 194700

What does Rissa mean and where does it come from?

Rissa is often considered a diminutive or variation of the name Marissa, which has Latin roots meaning 'sea' or 'of the sea'. However, it is also linked to the Spanish word 'risa', meaning 'laughter'. The name has a cheerful connotation and reflects positivity. It has become increasingly popular in

Cultural significance

Rissa has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in American-speaking communities, where it reflects values of to laugh or to smile, derived from 'risa'..

Peak popularity

Reached #4471 in 1957 — currently #13300 in the US.

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What middle names flow best with Rissa?

Rissa works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful

Rissa Grace

How popular is Rissa right now?

Falling — down 1058 spots — currently #13300 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names

US Trend 1960–2022#13300 · Top 9.8%

1960

1975

1980

1985

1990

1995

2005

2015

2020

2022

Year	US Rank	Births	vs Prior Year
2022	#13300	7	▼ down 1058
2020	#12242	7	▲ up 920
2015	#13162	7	▼ down 1150 · -12% births
2005	#12012	8	▲ up 1738 · +60% births
1995	#13750	5	▼ down 5075 · -44% births
1990	#8675	9	▼ down 1552
1985	#7123	9	▲ up 1311 · +29% births
1980	#8434	7	▲ up 1046 · +40% births
1975	#9480	5	▼ down 4431 · -37% births
1960	#5049	8	—

Name Popularity Timeline

Popularity Statistics for Rissa

Best Year1960Rank #5049

Peak Count9

Average Rank#10323

Current Trend↘Falling

Data Range1960 - 202210 years

The story of Rissa

Rissa entered American naming records in 1947 and has been in use for over 77 years. With 300 total births recorded, Rissa remains relatively uncommon. Once ranked #5049 in 1960, the name has become less common in recent years, sitting at #13300 in 2022.

Names that peaked alongside Rissa in 1957:

Mary Susan Linda Debra Karen

Rissa by decade

Rissa peaked in the 1950s. See all 1950s names →

Decade	Births
1940s	10
1950s	22
1960s	45
1970s	37
1980s	54
1990s	46
2000s ★	60
2010s	19
2020s	7

💎Rissa has only 300 total recorded births since 1947 — rarer than 99% of names in our database.

What are good nicknames for Rissa?

Common

RisRi

What names sound and feel like Rissa?

Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Rissa also consider these

Lissa

American · A diminutive of

Risa

Japan · A name that

Trissa

American · Harbinger of joy,

Krissa

American · A variant of

Rissy

American · Diminutive form of

Ryssa

American · A derivative or

Common questions about the name Rissa

What does the name Rissa mean?

Rissa means "To laugh or to smile, derived from 'Risa'." — a name rooted in American tradition that carries both historical depth and timeless appeal. The meaning reflects values that have made this name endure across generations.

How popular is the name Rissa?

Rissa is currently a distinctive and less common name as a girl name in the US and is rapidly gaining popularity — searches for Rissa have increased significantly in recent years.

What is the cultural origin of Rissa?

Rissa originates from American tradition. American names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.

Is Rissa trending right now?

Rissa is currently on the rise — it has gained significant momentum in recent years as parents discover its appeal.

Is Rissa a common or rare name?

Rissa is a distinctive choice that balances familiarity with individuality. It strikes a balance between standing out and fitting in.