Nerissa Girl
Origin(s)
Pronunciationneh-RIS-ah / /nəˈrɪsə/Latin; Greek
Meaning
Latin: sea nymph; Greek: from the sea
Historical & Cultural Background
Nerissa is derived from the Latin word 'neris', which refers to a sea nymph. In literature, the name gained popularity through Shakespeare's play 'The Merchant of Venice', where Nerissa is a character. The name has been used in various cultures, often associated with water and femininity. Its usage has remained relatively rare, making it a unique choice for a girl.
Trend Summary
Nerissa has seen limited popularity in the U.S., remaining a distinctive choice.
Similar Names
Variants
- Nerisse
- Nerisa
International Variants
- Nérisse (French)
- Nerisa (Italian)
Famous people named Nerissa
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Fictional characters named Nerissa
Nerissa is a character in William Shakespeare's play 'The Merchant of Venice', known for her wit and loyalty.
Nerissa is a character in the animated series 'Winx Club', where she is depicted as a powerful fairy.
Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Nerissa was first seen in the United States in 1915. Nerissa has ranked as high as #1053 nationally, which occurred in 1979, and has been most popular in California, New York, Texas, North Carolina, and Michigan. In the past 5 years the name Nerissa has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Nerissa (2010)
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 6 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1915 | 6 |
| 1918 | 7 |
| 1948 | 5 |
| 1950 | 7 |
| 1952 | 7 |
| 1953 | 6 |
| 1954 | 14 |
| 1955 | 6 |
| 1956 | 9 |
| 1957 | 12 |
| 1958 | 14 |
| 1959 | 12 |
| 1960 | 11 |
| 1961 | 8 |
| 1962 | 21 |
| 1963 | 18 |
| 1964 | 25 |
| 1965 | 26 |
| 1966 | 19 |
| 1967 | 26 |
| 1968 | 31 |
| 1969 | 38 |
| 1970 | 27 |
| 1971 | 44 |
| 1972 | 45 |
| 1973 | 33 |
| 1974 | 42 |
| 1975 | 51 |
| 1976 | 38 |
| 1977 | 38 |
| 1978 | 63 |
| 1979 | 73 |
| 1980 | 54 |
| 1981 | 72 |
| 1982 | 64 |
| 1983 | 51 |
| 1984 | 55 |
| 1985 | 39 |
| 1986 | 28 |
| 1987 | 43 |
| 1988 | 34 |
| 1989 | 48 |
| 1990 | 41 |
| 1991 | 33 |
| 1992 | 26 |
| 1993 | 30 |
| 1994 | 35 |
| 1995 | 35 |
| 1996 | 28 |
| 1997 | 31 |
| 1998 | 27 |
| 1999 | 29 |
| 2000 | 23 |
| 2001 | 31 |
| 2002 | 26 |
| 2003 | 22 |
| 2004 | 33 |
| 2005 | 22 |
| 2006 | 20 |
| 2007 | 29 |
| 2008 | 18 |
| 2009 | 21 |
| 2010 | 17 |
| 2011 | 9 |
| 2012 | 11 |
| 2013 | 8 |
| 2014 | 14 |
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2016 | 15 |
| 2017 | 15 |
| 2018 | 8 |
| 2019 | 9 |
| 2020 | 8 |
| 2021 | 8 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 6 |