Marissa

At a Glance

Meaning

Contraction of Maria Lisa or Maria Luisa

Origin

Spanish

Gender

Used for both boys and girls

Pronunciation

mə-RIS-əListen

Marissa has Spanish roots, formed as a contraction of Maria Lisa or Maria Luisa. You may see it described as meaning 'of the sea,' but that's not accurate — per Wiktionary, the name actually comes from that Maria Lisa/Maria Luisa blend rather than any sea-related root. If you're drawn to Marissa, it's worth knowing its real story rather than the popular one.

Meaning & Origin of Marissa

Meaning: Contraction of Maria Lisa or Maria Luisa.

Origin: Spanish.

A common claim: Often said to mean 'of the sea' (like Marisa/Maris). Actually: Marissa actually traces to a contraction of Maria Lisa or Maria Luisa, not to a sea-related root.

Source: Wiktionary.

How to Pronounce Marissa

Popularity of Marissa

Marissa peaked at #53 in 1994, when 6,245 baby girls were given the name, but by 2024 it had fallen to #1495 with just 145 babies — a sharp drop from its 1990s high, based on Social Security data spanning 1936 to 2024.

Names Like Marissa

These names have followed a similar path to Marissa in U.S. popularity over the years.

• Carina
• Akeem
• Marquis
• Marcela
• Noelia
• Taj

FAQ

What does the name Marissa mean?

Contraction of Maria Lisa or Maria Luisa. (Source: Wiktionary)

How do you pronounce Marissa?

Marissa is pronounced mə-RIS-ə (IPA: /məˈrɪsə/).

Is Marissa a popular name right now?

Marissa peaked at #53 in 1994 and is ranked #1495 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1936–2024.)

Make Marissa Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Marissa, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.