Anissa Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: ah-NEE-sah /əˈniːsə/
Origin: Arabic; Hebrew
Meaning: Arabic: 'grace'; Hebrew: 'favor'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Anissa has its roots in Arabic, derived from the word "anisa," which means "friendly" or "companionable." This etymology reflects a cultural emphasis on social bonds and relationships, which are highly valued in many Arabic-speaking societies. The name has been adopted into various languages and cultures, often retaining its original meaning, and it has been transliterated into different forms as it spread through regions influenced by Arabic culture.
Historically, the name Anissa has been associated with various figures in Islamic tradition, although specific historical milestones are less documented compared to more widely recognized names. The name gained prominence during the Islamic Golden Age, which spanned from the 8th to the 14th centuries, a period marked by significant advancements in science, philosophy, and the arts.
The cultural exchanges during this era facilitated the spread of Arabic names across different regions, including parts of Europe and Africa, where they were often adapted into local languages. Culturally, Anissa embodies qualities of warmth and companionship, making it a name that resonates with themes of friendship and community.
It has been embraced in various cultures, often reflecting the values of hospitality and connection. The name's enduring appeal can also be seen in its use in literature and art, where characters named Anissa often embody traits of loyalty and kindness.
While diminutive forms or variations exist, such as Anis or Nissa, the name Anissa itself has maintained a distinct identity throughout its history, symbolizing the enduring nature of interpersonal relationships.
Famous people named Anissa
In this section, you will find notable people named Anissa. 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 Anissa who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Anissa 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.
Anissa Jones was an actress best known for Family Affair.
Anissa Khedher is a professional wrestler best known for her appearances in various wrestling promotions.
Fictional characters named Anissa
The following list of fictional characters named Anissa 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.
Anissa Pierce is a fictional character from the TV series Black Lightning. She is a superhero known as Thunder, who possesses the ability to manipulate her density and is a key member of her family's fight against crime.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Anissa, 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 Anissa. 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 Anissa was first seen in the United States in 1966.
Anissa has ranked as high as #627 nationally, which occurred in 1971, and has been most popular in California, Texas, New York, Arizona, and Illinois.
In the past 5 years the name Anissa has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Anissa 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 Anissa was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
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 Anissa.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 53 | 0 | 53 |
| 2024 | 65 | 0 | 65 |
| 2023 | 70 | 0 | 70 |
| 2022 | 69 | 0 | 69 |
| 2021 | 79 | 0 | 79 |
| 2020 | 92 | 0 | 92 |
| 2019 | 98 | 0 | 98 |
| 2018 | 112 | 0 | 112 |
| 2017 | 88 | 0 | 88 |
| 2016 | 108 | 0 | 108 |
| 2015 | 85 | 0 | 85 |
| 2014 | 89 | 0 | 89 |
| 2013 | 114 | 0 | 114 |
| 2012 | 110 | 0 | 110 |
| 2011 | 138 | 0 | 138 |
| 2010 | 149 | 0 | 149 |
| 2009 | 148 | 0 | 148 |
| 2008 | 156 | 0 | 156 |
| 2007 | 182 | 0 | 182 |
| 2006 | 188 | 0 | 188 |
| 2005 | 228 | 0 | 228 |
| 2004 | 268 | 0 | 268 |
| 2003 | 345 | 0 | 345 |
| 2002 | 301 | 0 | 301 |
| 2001 | 299 | 0 | 299 |
| 2000 | 304 | 0 | 304 |
| 1999 | 320 | 0 | 320 |
| 1998 | 345 | 0 | 345 |
| 1997 | 337 | 0 | 337 |
| 1996 | 296 | 0 | 296 |
| 1995 | 376 | 0 | 376 |
| 1994 | 564 | 0 | 564 |
| 1993 | 602 | 0 | 602 |
| 1992 | 233 | 0 | 233 |
| 1991 | 175 | 0 | 175 |
| 1990 | 170 | 0 | 170 |
| 1989 | 89 | 0 | 89 |
| 1988 | 88 | 0 | 88 |
| 1987 | 63 | 0 | 63 |
| 1986 | 70 | 0 | 70 |
| 1985 | 64 | 0 | 64 |
| 1984 | 59 | 0 | 59 |
| 1983 | 83 | 0 | 83 |
| 1982 | 65 | 0 | 65 |
| 1981 | 68 | 0 | 68 |
| 1980 | 98 | 0 | 98 |
| 1979 | 142 | 0 | 142 |
| 1978 | 165 | 0 | 165 |
| 1977 | 183 | 0 | 183 |
| 1976 | 239 | 0 | 239 |
| 1975 | 168 | 0 | 168 |
| 1974 | 139 | 0 | 139 |
| 1973 | 221 | 0 | 221 |
| 1972 | 459 | 0 | 459 |
| 1971 | 729 | 5 | 724 |
| 1970 | 603 | 0 | 603 |
| 1969 | 607 | 0 | 607 |
| 1968 | 503 | 0 | 503 |
| 1967 | 219 | 0 | 219 |
| 1966 | 23 | 0 | 23 |
Top States for Anissa (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 10 | |
| CA | 10 | |
| NY | 6 |