girls' name · peaked 1994

Marissa

A female given name from Spanish, a contraction of Maria Lisa or Maria Luisa, though sometimes regarded as a re-interpretation of the name Melissa as a homophone in…

Every Marissa since 1936 — 121,112 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
123418801900192019401960198020002020GirlsBoys
GirlsBoys
Rank 2025
#1,679
among girls
Babies in 2025
123
named Marissa
Peak year
1994
6,260 babies
All-time total
121,112
since 1936

The story of Marissa

Marissa is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #1,679 in 2025 with 123 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 1936, 121,112 American babies have been named Marissa. Its peak came in 1994, when 6,260 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1990s.

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 Marissa stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Marissa year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year Girls Girls rank Boys Boys rank
2025 123 #1,679
2024 146 #1,495
2023 138 #1,547
2022 180 #1,313
2021 190 #1,241
2020 228 #1,083
2019 307 #877
2018 306 #886
2017 433 #678
2016 507 #597
2015 583 #536
2014 683 #466
2013 820 #377
2012 1,007 #320
2011 1,245 #257
2010 1,532 #202
2009 1,796 #183
2008 2,174 #155 6 #12,031
2007 2,622 #132
2006 3,163 #104
2005 3,592 #91
2004 4,009 #78 16 #5,165
2003 3,517 #95 7 #9,276
2002 3,317 #99
2001 3,853 #79 6 #10,074
2000 4,025 #78 8 #7,927
1995 6,081 #53 13 #4,700
1990 3,806 #87 21 #3,022
1985 1,890 #152 19 #2,663
1980 1,403 #193
1975 381 #484 6 #5,208
1970 263 #631
1965 114 #964
1960 92 #1,134
1955 39 #1,657
1950 7 #4,585
1945
1940
1935
1930
1925
1920
1915
1910
1905
1900
1895
1890
1885
1880

Famous people named Marissa

  1. Marissa Mayer Businessperson · b. 1975
  2. Marissa Jaret Winokur Actor · b. 1973

Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Marissa mean?

A female given name from Spanish, a contraction of Maria Lisa or Maria Luisa, though sometimes regarded as a re-interpretation of the name Melissa as a homophone in another European language.

How popular is the name Marissa in 2025?

Marissa ranked #1,679 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 123 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Marissa?

121,112 babies have been named Marissa in the United States since 1936, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Marissa most popular?

Marissa peaked in 1994, when 6,260 newborns received the name.

Is Marissa a boy or girl name?

Marissa is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Marissa rising or falling?

Marissa is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Marissa?

Well-known people named Marissa include Marissa Mayer (businessperson), Marissa Jaret Winokur (actor).

Names like Marissa

Compare Marissa with similar names →