Clarissa
Clarissa: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /kləˈɹɪsə/
Meaning and origin of Clarissa
- A female given name from Latin or Italian.
Etymology
Borrowed from Italian Clarissa, from Medieval Latin Clarissa; see there for more. Popularized in English by Samuel Richardson's 1748 novel Clarissa. Doublet of Clarisse.
How popular is Clarissa?
Since 1880, 40,484 girls and 21 boys in the U.S. have been named Clarissa (100% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #237 in 1994. Its highest rank for boys was #5919 in 1985. In 2025, 212 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Names similar to Clarissa
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
Clarissa FAQ
What does the name Clarissa mean?
A female given name from Latin or Italian. Borrowed from Italian Clarissa, from Medieval Latin Clarissa; see there for more. Popularized in English by Samuel Richardson's 1748 novel Clarissa. Doublet of Clarisse.
What is the origin of the name Clarissa?
Clarissa is listed as a name of Latin or Italian origin.
How popular is the name Clarissa?
Since 1880, 40,484 girls and 21 boys in the U.S. have been named Clarissa (100% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #237 in 1994. Its highest rank for boys was #5919 in 1985. In 2025, 212 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Is Clarissa a boy or girl name?
Clarissa is mostly a girl name in the U.S.: 40,484 girls and 21 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.