Alyssa
Alyssa: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /əˈlɪs.ə/
Meaning and origin of Alyssa
Root meaning: “a plant of the genus Alyssum”
- A female given name from the Germanic languages, popular in the US in the 1990s and the 2000s.
Etymology
A 20th-century invention. Possible origins: * From alyss(um) (“a plant of the genus Alyssum”) + -a. * From Alicia, of Germanic origin. * From Elissa.
How popular is Alyssa?
Since 1880, 314,606 girls and 432 boys in the U.S. have been named Alyssa (100% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #11 in 1998. Its highest rank for boys was #2247 in 1989. In 2025 it ranked #453 for girls, with 680 babies given the name.
Names similar to Alyssa
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Germanic girl names
Sibling name ideas for Alyssa
Sister and brother names that share Alyssa's Germanic roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Alyssa FAQ
What does the name Alyssa mean?
Alyssa traces back to a root meaning "a plant of the genus Alyssum". A female given name from the Germanic languages, popular in the US in the 1990s and the 2000s. A 20th-century invention. Possible origins: * From alyss(um) (“a plant of the genus Alyssum”) + -a. * From Alicia, of Germanic origin. * From Elissa.
What is the origin of the name Alyssa?
Alyssa is listed as a name of Germanic origin.
How popular is the name Alyssa?
Since 1880, 314,606 girls and 432 boys in the U.S. have been named Alyssa (100% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #11 in 1998. Its highest rank for boys was #2247 in 1989. In 2025 it ranked #453 for girls, with 680 babies given the name.
Is Alyssa a boy or girl name?
Alyssa is mostly a girl name in the U.S.: 314,606 girls and 432 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.