Alyssa Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: ah-LIS-ah //əˈlɪsə//
Origin: Greek; Hebrew
Meaning: Greek: 'noble'; Hebrew: 'God's promise'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Alyssa has its roots in the Greek word "alyssum," which refers to a type of flower known for its medicinal properties. The term itself is derived from the Greek "a-" meaning "without" and "lyssa," meaning "madness" or "rage," thus translating to "a remedy for madness." This etymological origin reflects the historical use of the plant in herbal medicine.
The name was introduced into English through various adaptations, particularly in the 19th century, as it began to be used more widely in literature and culture. Historically, the name Alyssa gained prominence in the 20th century, particularly in the context of literature and popular culture.
One notable milestone was its appearance in the works of American authors in the late 1900s, where it was often associated with characters embodying beauty and grace. The name's usage was further popularized by its inclusion in various media, including television and film, which contributed to its recognition as a feminine name, although it has occasionally been used for boys as well.
Culturally, Alyssa has been associated with themes of beauty, nature, and healing, resonating with the characteristics of the alyssum flower. The name evokes a sense of tranquility and calm, aligning with its etymological roots.
Additionally, diminutive forms such as Aly or Lysa have emerged, further enriching the name's cultural tapestry. The enduring appeal of Alyssa can be attributed to its lyrical sound and the positive connotations associated with its botanical origins, making it a name that has found a place in various cultural narratives.
Famous people named Alyssa
In this section, you will find notable people named Alyssa. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Alyssa who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Alyssa who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Alyssa Milano is an actress and producer best known for Charmed, Who's the Boss?, and Melrose Place.
Alyssa Ash is a social media influencer and entrepreneur best known for her work in digital marketing and content creation.
Alyssa Edwards is a drag performer and television personality best known for RuPaul's Drag Race and Dancing Queen.
Fictional characters named Alyssa
The following list of fictional characters named Alyssa is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Alyssa is a fictional character from the TV series The 100. She is a member of the group known as the Delinquents and plays a significant role in the survival of her people.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Alyssa, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Alyssa. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Alyssa was first seen in the United States in 1950.
Alyssa has ranked as high as #38 nationally, which occurred in 1999, and has been most popular in California, Texas, New York, Florida, and Pennsylvania.
In the past 5 years the name Alyssa has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Alyssa is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Alyssa was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Alyssa (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 154 | |
| TX | 115 | |
| FL | 49 | |
| NY | 45 | |
| IL | 28 | |
| NC | 28 | |
| VA | 26 | |
| PA | 25 | |
| AZ | 24 | |
| NJ | 23 | |
| GA | 21 | |
| TN | 21 | |
| WA | 17 | |
| OH | 15 | |
| KY | 14 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Alyssa.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 793 |
| 2023 | 929 |
| 2022 | 1,098 |
| 2021 | 1,301 |
| 2020 | 1,471 |
| 2019 | 1,699 |
| 2018 | 1,881 |
| 2017 | 2,241 |
| 2016 | 2,680 |
| 2015 | 3,255 |
| 2014 | 3,846 |
| 2013 | 4,212 |
| 2012 | 5,090 |
| 2011 | 6,029 |
| 2010 | 6,993 |
| 2009 | 7,979 |
| 2008 | 9,652 |
| 2007 | 11,275 |
| 2006 | 10,177 |
| 2005 | 10,891 |
| 2004 | 12,109 |
| 2003 | 12,750 |
| 2002 | 12,847 |
| 2001 | 13,272 |
| 2000 | 13,553 |
| 1999 | 14,036 |
| 1998 | 13,709 |
| 1997 | 12,649 |
| 1996 | 11,024 |
| 1995 | 10,100 |
| 1994 | 10,602 |
| 1993 | 11,030 |
| 1992 | 10,163 |
| 1991 | 10,678 |
| 1990 | 11,263 |
| 1989 | 9,043 |
| 1988 | 7,134 |
| 1987 | 5,136 |
| 1986 | 3,225 |
| 1985 | 2,258 |
| 1984 | 1,538 |
| 1983 | 1,201 |
| 1982 | 1,109 |
| 1981 | 1,128 |
| 1980 | 1,180 |
| 1979 | 1,174 |
| 1978 | 801 |
| 1977 | 759 |
| 1976 | 681 |
| 1975 | 559 |
| 1974 | 467 |
| 1973 | 449 |
| 1972 | 344 |
| 1971 | 402 |
| 1970 | 444 |
| 1969 | 380 |
| 1968 | 199 |
| 1967 | 143 |
| 1966 | 137 |
| 1965 | 119 |
| 1964 | 118 |
| 1963 | 124 |
| 1962 | 86 |
| 1961 | 87 |
| 1960 | 111 |
| 1959 | 35 |
| 1958 | 20 |
| 1957 | 13 |
| 1956 | 13 |
| 1954 | 7 |
| 1953 | 6 |
| 1950 | 5 |