Larisa Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: luh-REE-sah /lɑːˈriːsə/
Origin: Greek; Slavic
Meaning: Greek: cheerful; Slavic: sea
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Larisa has its roots in ancient Greek, deriving from the word 'Larisa', which refers to a city in Thessaly, Greece. The etymology is often linked to the Greek word 'laris', meaning 'citadel' or 'fortress', suggesting a connection to strength and protection.
The name entered the English language through various cultural exchanges and adaptations over centuries, particularly during the periods of Hellenistic influence and the spread of Greek culture throughout the Mediterranean and beyond. Historically, Larisa is associated with notable figures and places in ancient Greek history.
The city of Larisa was significant in classical antiquity, mentioned by Homer in the 'Iliad' as a center of culture and power. Additionally, it is linked to various mythological narratives, including those involving the goddess of love, Aphrodite, who is said to have connections to the region.
The name gained further prominence in the Byzantine era, where it was used among the Greek-speaking populations of the Eastern Roman Empire. Culturally, Larisa has resonated through various artistic and literary works, symbolizing beauty and grace.
The name has been adopted in various forms across different cultures, often retaining its original phonetic structure. In some Slavic languages, Larisa is associated with the diminutive form 'Lara', which carries connotations of lightness and charm.
The enduring nature of the name can be attributed to its historical significance and the positive attributes associated with its meanings, making it a name that has transcended time and geography.
Famous people named Larisa
In this section, you will find notable people named Larisa. 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 Larisa who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Larisa 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.
Larisa Oleynik is an actress best known for 10 Things I Hate About You, The Secret World of Alex Mack, and Mad Men.
Larisa Latynina is a retired gymnast best known for her performances in the 1956, 1960, and 1964 Olympics.
Larisa Neiland is a former professional tennis player best known for winning the 1992 French Open in women's doubles.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Larisa, 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 Larisa. 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 Larisa was first seen in the United States in 1951.
Larisa has ranked as high as #1139 nationally, which occurred in 1993, and has been most popular in California, Texas, New York, Pennsylvania, and Illinois.
In the past 5 years the name Larisa has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Larisa 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 Larisa was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Larisa (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 |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 6 |
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 Larisa.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 19 |
| 2023 | 16 |
| 2022 | 18 |
| 2021 | 15 |
| 2020 | 13 |
| 2019 | 18 |
| 2018 | 20 |
| 2017 | 19 |
| 2016 | 21 |
| 2015 | 14 |
| 2014 | 13 |
| 2013 | 27 |
| 2012 | 22 |
| 2011 | 34 |
| 2010 | 38 |
| 2009 | 35 |
| 2008 | 34 |
| 2007 | 59 |
| 2006 | 58 |
| 2005 | 54 |
| 2004 | 75 |
| 2003 | 51 |
| 2002 | 70 |
| 2001 | 47 |
| 2000 | 67 |
| 1999 | 67 |
| 1998 | 71 |
| 1997 | 73 |
| 1996 | 64 |
| 1995 | 88 |
| 1994 | 104 |
| 1993 | 108 |
| 1992 | 80 |
| 1991 | 79 |
| 1990 | 80 |
| 1989 | 80 |
| 1988 | 87 |
| 1987 | 71 |
| 1986 | 72 |
| 1985 | 63 |
| 1984 | 75 |
| 1983 | 69 |
| 1982 | 53 |
| 1981 | 77 |
| 1980 | 58 |
| 1979 | 63 |
| 1978 | 56 |
| 1977 | 70 |
| 1976 | 60 |
| 1975 | 38 |
| 1974 | 46 |
| 1973 | 65 |
| 1972 | 58 |
| 1971 | 64 |
| 1970 | 85 |
| 1969 | 89 |
| 1968 | 100 |
| 1967 | 84 |
| 1966 | 28 |
| 1965 | 17 |
| 1964 | 16 |
| 1963 | 18 |
| 1962 | 11 |
| 1961 | 27 |
| 1960 | 20 |
| 1959 | 17 |
| 1958 | 13 |
| 1957 | 12 |
| 1955 | 6 |
| 1951 | 5 |