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Clarissa Girl

Popularity: #743 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

Pronunciationkluh-RIS-uh / /kləˈrɪsə/

Latin; Greek

Meaning

Latin: bright; Greek: clear

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Clarissa has its roots in the Latin word "clarus," which means "clear" or "bright." This Latin term evolved into the name "Clara," which was used in various forms throughout the Middle Ages. The name Clarissa emerged as a derivative of Clara, gaining popularity in the 17th century, particularly in Italy and England. The transition into English occurred through the influence of Italian and Latin texts, where the name was often associated with clarity and brightness, both in a literal and metaphorical sense.

Historically, one of the notable figures associated with the name is Saint Clara of Assisi, who founded the Order of Poor Ladies in the 13th century. Her life and works contributed to the name's significance in Christian contexts, particularly among those who valued the ideals of purity and enlightenment. The name gained further prominence in literature, notably through Samuel Richardson's novel "Clarissa," published in the early 18th century. This work, which tells the story of a virtuous young woman, helped solidify the name's association with moral integrity and virtue.

Culturally, Clarissa has been embraced in various artistic and literary contexts, symbolizing clarity of thought and purity of heart. The name has been used in numerous works of literature and has been associated with characters that embody these traits. The diminutive form "Clara" is also significant, often used interchangeably with Clarissa, and carries similar connotations of brightness and clarity. Overall, the name Clarissa reflects a rich historical and cultural tapestry, rooted in linguistic evolution and enriched by notable figures and literary contributions.

Trend Summary

Clarissa has seen fluctuating popularity in the United States, with a notable rise in the late 20th century.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Clara
  • Clarice

International Variants

  • Clara (Spanish)
  • Clarisse (French)
  • Klara (German)
  • Clarita (Spanish)

Famous people named Clarissa

Clarissa Pinkola Estés is a psychologist and author best known for Women Who Run with the Wolves, The Gift of Story, and The Dangerous Old Woman.

Clarissa Ward is a journalist best known for her work with CNN, reporting from conflict zones, and covering major global events.

Fictional characters named Clarissa

Clarissa Dalloway is a fictional character from the novel Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf. She is a high-society woman in post-World War I England who reflects on her life while preparing for a party.

Clarissa Fray is a fictional character from the book series The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare. She is a Shadowhunter who discovers her heritage and battles against dark forces in a hidden world.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Clarissa was first seen in the United States in 1880. Clarissa has ranked as high as #454 nationally, which occurred in 1995, and has been most popular in Texas, California, New York, Illinois, and Arizona. In the past 5 years the name Clarissa has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Clarissa (2024)

StateBirthsShare
TX 48
36%
CA 40
30%
FL 13
10%
NY 8
6%
AZ 8
6%
GA 6
4%
OH 6
4%
MA 5
4%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
188010
188213
188317
188418
188511
188615
188717
188812
188920
189025
189118
189218
189318
189426
189522
189623
189722
189826
189923
190020
190133
190225
190321
190432
190515
190621
190728
190825
190932
191027
191136
191250
191338
191450
191568
191679
191786
191883
191979
192081
192178
192268
192367
192467
192568
192659
192762
192857
192956
193051
193154
193251
193349
193454
193546
193660
193741
193846
193960
194059
194161
194254
194362
194457
194554
194662
194797
194886
194988
195091
1951100
195299
1953134
1954127
1955158
1956172
1957182
1958159
1959180
1960204
1961237
1962233
1963211
1964263
1965200
1966222
1967217
1968260
1969276
1970321
1971327
1972305
1973304
1974318
1975378
1976384
1977350
1978364
1979422
1980423
1981524
1982540
1983622
1984635
1985633
1986764
1987697
1988777
1989759
1990853
1991909
19921,140
19931,074
19941,185
19951,201
19961,157
19971,092
19981,005
1999975
2000975
2001952
2002870
2003808
2004852
2005737
2006675
2007644
2008546
2009499
2010530
2011479
2012453
2013396
2014364
2015408
2016454
2017431
2018372
2019378
2020286
2021278
2022245
2023209
2024207