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Lisa Girl

Popularity: #689 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

PronunciationLEE-sah / ˈliːsə

Hebrew; Latin; English

Meaning

Hebrew: God's promise; Latin: devoted to God

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Lisa is derived from the Hebrew name Elisheba, which means "God is my oath." This name was adapted into Greek as Elisabet and subsequently into Latin as Elisabeth. The name underwent further transformation in various languages, eventually leading to the diminutive form Lisa, which emerged in the 19th century as a standalone name in English-speaking countries. The evolution of Lisa reflects a common linguistic practice of shortening longer names, making them more accessible and familiar in everyday use.

Historically, the name Elisabeth has significant biblical roots, as it appears in the New Testament as the mother of John the Baptist. This association with a prominent biblical figure has contributed to the name's enduring presence in Christian cultures. The name Elisabeth was popularized in Europe during the Middle Ages, particularly through the veneration of several saints named Elisabeth, including Saint Elisabeth of Hungary, who lived in the 13th century and is celebrated for her charitable works.

Culturally, the name Lisa has been associated with various artistic and literary figures, further embedding it in the cultural consciousness. For instance, Lisa is famously linked to Leonardo da Vinci's painting, the Mona Lisa, which has become an iconic representation of beauty and mystery in Western art. The name also carries connotations of grace and simplicity, which have contributed to its lasting appeal across generations. While Lisa is often seen as a diminutive of Elisabeth, it has developed its own identity and significance, resonating with themes of devotion and femininity throughout its history.

Trend Summary

Lisa was particularly popular in the United States from the 1960s to the 1980s, but has seen a decline in usage since then.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Liza
  • Elisa

International Variants

  • Elisa (Italian)
  • Lise (French)
  • Liza (Spanish)
  • Lise (Dutch)

Famous people named Lisa

Lisa Kudrow is an actress best known for Friends, The Comeback, and Romy and Michele's High School Reunion.

Lisa Marie Presley is a singer-songwriter best known for her albums To Whom It May Concern, Now What, and Storm & Grace.

Lisa Bonet is an actress best known for The Cosby Show, A Different World, and High Fidelity.

Lisa Ling is a journalist best known for The View, Our America with Lisa Ling, and This Is Life with Lisa Ling.

Lisa Vanderpump is a television personality best known for The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Vanderpump Rules, and her work in animal rights activism.

Lisa Rinna is an actress best known for Days of Our Lives, Melrose Place, and The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.

Lisa Jackson is an author best known for her works in the genre of suspense and thriller, including the New Orleans series.

Fictional characters named Lisa

Lisa Simpson is a fictional character from the animated television series The Simpsons. She is the intelligent and politically aware daughter of Homer and Marge Simpson, often serving as the voice of reason in her family.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Lisa was first seen in the United States in 1886. Lisa has ranked as high as #6 nationally, which occurred in 1965, and has been most popular in California, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Illinois. In the past 5 years the name Lisa has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Lisa (2024)

StateBirthsShare
CA 34
17%
TX 26
13%
FL 20
10%
NY 19
10%
PA 14
7%
IN 13
7%
NC 12
6%
OH 8
4%
KY 6
3%
SC 6
3%
MN 6
3%
VA 6
3%
NJ 6
3%
GA 6
3%
CO 5
3%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
18866
18965
18997
19049
19055
19077
19109
19119
19127
191316
191412
191514
191611
191713
191814
191914
192017
192117
192215
192315
192423
192513
192631
192714
192812
192922
193032
193128
193240
193321
193432
193531
193647
193753
193879
193977
194089
194192
1942124
1943162
1944193
1945250
1946327
1947423
1948468
1949596
19501,175
19511,698
19522,842
19533,602
19545,913
19558,539
195611,012
195715,140
195820,200
195925,702
196033,695
196142,719
196246,074
196356,040
196454,271
196560,269
196656,918
196752,436
196849,533
196945,028
197038,965
197132,910
197227,543
197322,673
197419,777
197518,139
197617,348
197717,013
197817,034
197917,285
198015,666
198114,295
198212,637
198311,471
198410,237
19859,015
19867,906
19877,549
19887,267
19896,574
19905,347
19914,395
19923,781
19933,223
19942,564
19952,236
19961,864
19971,546
19981,364
19991,113
20001,088
2001908
2002830
2003811
2004710
2005619
2006609
2007525
2008509
2009420
2010396
2011396
2012398
2013354
2014378
2015374
2016345
2017309
2018308
2019276
2020243
2021248
2022290
2023315
2024262