Karissa Girl

Popularity: #885 · Trend: ↘ Falling

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

Origin: Greek; Latin

Meaning: Greek: pure; Latin: beloved

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Karissa is believed to have originated from the Greek word "charis," meaning "grace" or "favor." This etymological root reflects a broader tradition of names derived from Greek that emphasize positive qualities and virtues. The name underwent various transformations as it passed through different languages and cultures, eventually being adapted into modern English.

The addition of the suffix "-issa" is a common practice in many languages, particularly in the formation of feminine names, which may have contributed to the name's appeal in contemporary contexts. Historically, the name Karissa does not have a significant presence in ancient texts or notable figures, but it can be connected to the broader tradition of names that celebrate grace and beauty.

The use of names derived from Greek roots became more prominent during the Renaissance, a period marked by a revival of interest in classical antiquity. This era saw the incorporation of many Greek and Latin names into various European languages, including English, as scholars and artists sought inspiration from ancient cultures.

Culturally, names like Karissa resonate with themes of elegance and charm, often associated with feminine ideals in literature and art. The name may also evoke connections to the concept of divine grace, which has been a significant theme in Christian theology, particularly through the influence of saints and biblical figures who exemplified such virtues.

While Karissa itself may not have a direct historical figure associated with it, its roots in grace and favor align it with a long-standing tradition of names that carry positive connotations and moral significance.

Famous people named Karissa

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

We also feature individuals named Karissa 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.

Karissa Shannon is a model and television personality best known for her appearances on The Girls Next Door and Celebrity Big Brother.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Karissa, 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 Karissa. 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 Karissa was first seen in the United States in 1961.

Karissa has ranked as high as #550 nationally, which occurred in 1991, and has been most popular in California, Texas, New York, Pennsylvania, and Florida.

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

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Karissa 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 Karissa was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Top States for Karissa (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
FL 8
62%
CA 5
38%

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 Karissa.

YearBirths
202465
202363
202272
202174
2020108
2019106
2018110
2017137
2016166
2015196
2014203
2013260
2012304
2011323
2010378
2009337
2008362
2007449
2006471
2005474
2004523
2003660
2002621
2001551
2000649
1999622
1998619
1997588
1996603
1995720
1994770
1993855
1992898
1991901
1990870
1989739
1988565
1987402
1986399
1985368
1984315
1983266
1982264
1981276
1980215
1979179
1978171
1977143
1976112
197594
197477
197374
197248
197141
197048
196929
196816
196720
196619
196512
19645
19637
19626
19618