Lisa Girl
Origin(s)
PronunciationLEE-sah / ˈliːsəHebrew; 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)
State | Births | Share |
---|---|---|
CA | 34 | |
TX | 26 | |
FL | 20 | |
NY | 19 | |
PA | 14 | |
IN | 13 | |
NC | 12 | |
OH | 8 | |
KY | 6 | |
SC | 6 | |
MN | 6 | |
VA | 6 | |
NJ | 6 | |
GA | 6 | |
CO | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
Year | Births |
---|---|
1886 | 6 |
1896 | 5 |
1899 | 7 |
1904 | 9 |
1905 | 5 |
1907 | 7 |
1910 | 9 |
1911 | 9 |
1912 | 7 |
1913 | 16 |
1914 | 12 |
1915 | 14 |
1916 | 11 |
1917 | 13 |
1918 | 14 |
1919 | 14 |
1920 | 17 |
1921 | 17 |
1922 | 15 |
1923 | 15 |
1924 | 23 |
1925 | 13 |
1926 | 31 |
1927 | 14 |
1928 | 12 |
1929 | 22 |
1930 | 32 |
1931 | 28 |
1932 | 40 |
1933 | 21 |
1934 | 32 |
1935 | 31 |
1936 | 47 |
1937 | 53 |
1938 | 79 |
1939 | 77 |
1940 | 89 |
1941 | 92 |
1942 | 124 |
1943 | 162 |
1944 | 193 |
1945 | 250 |
1946 | 327 |
1947 | 423 |
1948 | 468 |
1949 | 596 |
1950 | 1,175 |
1951 | 1,698 |
1952 | 2,842 |
1953 | 3,602 |
1954 | 5,913 |
1955 | 8,539 |
1956 | 11,012 |
1957 | 15,140 |
1958 | 20,200 |
1959 | 25,702 |
1960 | 33,695 |
1961 | 42,719 |
1962 | 46,074 |
1963 | 56,040 |
1964 | 54,271 |
1965 | 60,269 |
1966 | 56,918 |
1967 | 52,436 |
1968 | 49,533 |
1969 | 45,028 |
1970 | 38,965 |
1971 | 32,910 |
1972 | 27,543 |
1973 | 22,673 |
1974 | 19,777 |
1975 | 18,139 |
1976 | 17,348 |
1977 | 17,013 |
1978 | 17,034 |
1979 | 17,285 |
1980 | 15,666 |
1981 | 14,295 |
1982 | 12,637 |
1983 | 11,471 |
1984 | 10,237 |
1985 | 9,015 |
1986 | 7,906 |
1987 | 7,549 |
1988 | 7,267 |
1989 | 6,574 |
1990 | 5,347 |
1991 | 4,395 |
1992 | 3,781 |
1993 | 3,223 |
1994 | 2,564 |
1995 | 2,236 |
1996 | 1,864 |
1997 | 1,546 |
1998 | 1,364 |
1999 | 1,113 |
2000 | 1,088 |
2001 | 908 |
2002 | 830 |
2003 | 811 |
2004 | 710 |
2005 | 619 |
2006 | 609 |
2007 | 525 |
2008 | 509 |
2009 | 420 |
2010 | 396 |
2011 | 396 |
2012 | 398 |
2013 | 354 |
2014 | 378 |
2015 | 374 |
2016 | 345 |
2017 | 309 |
2018 | 308 |
2019 | 276 |
2020 | 243 |
2021 | 248 |
2022 | 290 |
2023 | 315 |
2024 | 262 |