Elissa
Borrowed from Ancient Greek Ἔλῐσσᾰ (Élĭssă); probably from Phoenician 𐤀𐤋𐤀𐤎𐤕 (ʾlʾst /Elishat/), 𐤀𐤋𐤀𐤎 (ʾlʾs /Elisha/).This etymology is incomplete.
Every Elissa since 1914 — 18,033 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Elissa
Elissa is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #1,848 in 2025 with 108 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1914, 18,033 American babies have been named Elissa. Its peak came in 1979, when 408 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1970s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Elissa stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Elissa year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 108 | #1,848 |
| 2024 | 140 | #1,530 |
| 2023 | 150 | #1,465 |
| 2022 | 160 | #1,416 |
| 2021 | 164 | #1,348 |
| 2020 | 164 | #1,345 |
| 2019 | 213 | #1,137 |
| 2018 | 183 | #1,264 |
| 2017 | 166 | #1,388 |
| 2016 | 166 | #1,404 |
| 2015 | 169 | #1,394 |
| 2014 | 242 | #1,065 |
| 2013 | 235 | #1,057 |
| 2012 | 298 | #888 |
| 2011 | 224 | #1,098 |
| 2010 | 219 | #1,122 |
| 2009 | 206 | #1,211 |
| 2008 | 247 | #1,059 |
| 2007 | 224 | #1,145 |
| 2006 | 248 | #1,033 |
| 2005 | 274 | #910 |
| 2004 | 279 | #881 |
| 2003 | 284 | #852 |
| 2002 | 299 | #788 |
| 2001 | 302 | #784 |
| 2000 | 290 | #792 |
| 1995 | 290 | #714 |
| 1990 | 279 | #744 |
| 1985 | 302 | #622 |
| 1980 | 357 | #529 |
| 1975 | 216 | #695 |
| 1970 | 258 | #637 |
| 1965 | 103 | #1,026 |
| 1960 | 105 | #1,048 |
| 1955 | 144 | #805 |
| 1950 | 86 | #982 |
| 1945 | 55 | #1,051 |
| 1940 | 35 | #1,247 |
| 1935 | 61 | #886 |
| 1930 | 7 | #3,768 |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | 11 | #2,968 |
| 1915 | 7 | #3,536 |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Famous people named Elissa
- Elissa Singer · b. 1972
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Elissa mean?
Borrowed from Ancient Greek Ἔλῐσσᾰ (Élĭssă); probably from Phoenician 𐤀𐤋𐤀𐤎𐤕 (ʾlʾst /Elishat/), 𐤀𐤋𐤀𐤎 (ʾlʾs /Elisha/).This etymology is incomplete.
How popular is the name Elissa in 2025?
Elissa ranked #1,848 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 108 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Elissa?
18,033 babies have been named Elissa in the United States since 1914, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Elissa most popular?
Elissa peaked in 1979, when 408 newborns received the name.
Is Elissa a boy or girl name?
Elissa is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Elissa rising or falling?
Elissa is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Elissa?
Well-known people named Elissa include Elissa (singer).