Carissa Girl

Popularity: #902 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: kuh-RIS-uh //kəˈrɪsə//

Origin: Greek; Latin

Meaning: Greek: 'beloved'; Latin: 'grace'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Carissa has its roots in the Greek word "kharis," meaning "grace" or "kindness." This term is often associated with the concept of beauty and charm, which has contributed to the name's appeal. The name Carissa is believed to have emerged in the 20th century as a modern adaptation, influenced by the popularity of names that evoke positive qualities.

It is also linked to the botanical term "carissa," referring to a genus of flowering plants in the family Apocynaceae, which further emphasizes themes of beauty and nature. Historically, the name Carissa does not have significant references in ancient texts or notable historical figures, unlike many traditional names.

However, its Greek roots connect it to a broader cultural and linguistic heritage that includes various names derived from "kharis," such as Charis, which has been used in literature and religious contexts. The use of names with similar roots can be traced back to classical antiquity, where the concept of grace was highly valued in both philosophical and artistic expressions.

Culturally, the name Carissa embodies a sense of elegance and charm, resonating with themes of kindness and beauty that have been celebrated throughout history. While it may not have the same extensive historical lineage as some other names, its etymological connections to grace and beauty contribute to its enduring appeal.

The name may also be associated with various diminutives, such as Cara, which further emphasizes its affectionate and graceful connotations. Overall, Carissa reflects a blend of linguistic heritage and cultural significance that highlights the timeless appreciation for grace and beauty.

Famous people named Carissa

In this section, you will find notable people named Carissa. 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 Carissa who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Carissa 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.

Carissa Moore is a professional surfer best known for winning multiple World Surf League Championships and Olympic gold medal in surfing.

Carissa Kauffman is a singer-songwriter best known for her work in the indie music scene and her album 'The Other Side'.

Carissa F. is a social media influencer best known for her lifestyle and beauty content on platforms like Instagram and YouTube.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Carissa, 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 Carissa. 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 Carissa was first seen in the United States in 1949.

Carissa has ranked as high as #501 nationally, which occurred in 1992, and has been most popular in California, Texas, New York, Pennsylvania, and Illinois.

In the past 5 years the name Carissa has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Carissa 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 Carissa 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 Carissa.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 46 0 46
2024 45 0 45
2023 57 0 57
2022 50 0 50
2021 71 0 71
2020 90 0 90
2019 84 0 84
2018 98 0 98
2017 131 0 131
2016 128 0 128
2015 164 0 164
2014 167 0 167
2013 211 0 211
2012 265 0 265
2011 285 0 285
2010 324 0 324
2009 326 0 326
2008 408 0 408
2007 477 0 477
2006 502 0 502
2005 497 0 497
2004 625 0 625
2003 648 0 648
2002 692 0 692
2001 708 0 708
2000 685 0 685
1999 681 0 681
1998 686 0 686
1997 659 0 659
1996 724 0 724
1995 818 0 818
1994 904 0 904
1993 977 0 977
1992 1,155 0 1,155
1991 1,110 0 1,110
1990 1,106 0 1,106
1989 969 7 962
1988 837 0 837
1987 734 0 734
1986 766 0 766
1985 735 5 730
1984 752 0 752
1983 738 0 738
1982 713 0 713
1981 670 0 670
1980 725 0 725
1979 686 0 686
1978 553 0 553
1977 532 0 532
1976 475 0 475
1975 308 0 308
1974 270 0 270
1973 222 0 222
1972 216 0 216
1971 207 0 207
1970 166 0 166
1969 111 0 111
1968 74 0 74
1967 70 0 70
1966 64 0 64
1965 68 0 68
1964 36 0 36
1963 25 0 25
1962 19 0 19
1961 21 0 21
1960 17 0 17
1959 8 0 8
1958 5 0 5
1957 10 0 10
1956 10 0 10
1955 9 0 9
1954 14 0 14
1953 8 0 8
1952 7 0 7
1949 5 0 5

Top States for Carissa (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 7
58%
NY 5
42%