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© 2026 Namesake · namesake.baby

Data: Social Security Administration, US births 1880–2024

Nerissa — Meaning, Origin & Popularity | Namesake
All names
Nerina|Neriya
LiteraryGirl↑↑ Surging

Nerissa

nuh-RIS-uh · 3 syllables

Share Nerissa:
Compare with another name
Girl
#14738
↑↑ Surging
#14738
in the US · 2024
Popularity score: 3
Peak rank
#11823 in 2020
5yr change
+2170 ranks
Birth frequency
1.7 per 1,000,000 births
Sex split
0% boy · 100% girl

Popularity Over Time

↑ Higher on this chart = more popular · ↓ Lower = less popular

Average0255075100Popularity score (0–100)20202024

Rank #14738 · Falling since 2020

How Popular Is This Name?

Bars show the range of popularity for each group. The dot shows where this name sits. Further right = more popular.

All US girl names
Top 200 girl names
Literary girl names
Nerissa

Popularity score: 3  ·  SSA Rank: #14738

Rare  ·  Distinctive  ·  Familiar  ·  Common  ·  Very Common

Popularity score: 0 = least popular, 100 = most popular. Based on SSA rank.

Namesake Score
84
Higher than 84% of names
Combines uniqueness, trend, meaning, feasibility, and search interest.
Trend
↑↑ Surging
+2170 ranks
Based on SSA rank velocity
Feasibility
Limited
.com taken · — · clear
Low friction, available
Uniqueness
55
31 per 10,000 births
Won't be common in class
Name DNA
LiteraryShakespeareanGirl3-syllableRomanticRareClassicMythological-inspiredVintage Charm
Character
graceful and intelligent
STRONG
High confidence

Nerissa is a Literary girl name with upward momentum in SSA rankings. It ranked #14738 in the US in 2024.

Trend:↑↑ Surging · +2170 ranks
Feasibility:.com taken · — · clear
Popularity:#14738 · very rare
Nerissa at a Glance
Meaning:Created by Shakespeare for 'The Merchant of Venice', likely derived from Latin 'nereis' (sea nymph), embodying grace and intelligence
Language root:English · Literary Creation
Peak rank:#11823 in 2020
5yr change:+2170 ranks
Sex usage:0% boy · 100% girl
Notable bearers
Nerissa
Character in 'The Merchant of Venice'
Similar Sound
NeridaMarissaClarissaLarissaMelissa
Similar Style
ViolaPortiaMirandaBeatriceRosalindJuliet
Works Well With
Sibling names that pair naturally with Nerissa
BeatriceViolaOpheliaAriel◈SebastianLysander
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Viola
Latin · #1190
↓ Fading
Portia
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↑↑ Surging
Miranda
Latin · #622
↓ Declining
Beatrice
Latin · #579
→ Stable
Rosalind
Latin · #1475
↓ Declining
Juliet
Latin · #283
→ Stable
Source: Social Security Administration baby names data. Popularity data reflects US births. Feasibility data updated monthly.
Name Intelligence
Nerissa · Overview
Summary

Nerissa is a Literary girl name with upward momentum in SSA rankings. It ranked #14738 in the US in 2024.

Strengths
Strong fundamentals
Nerissa scores 84/100 on the Namesake scale — meaning, origin, and trend all contribute positively.
Surging fast
Rank has moved 2170 positions in the last year. Exceptional momentum.
Literary · Romantic character
Nerissa carries a ethereal, gentle quality that makes it distinctive without being invented.
Considerations
Rising very fast
Nerissa is surging. If the trend continues, it may become significantly more common within 2-3 years.
Domain taken
nerissa.com is not available. Alternative TLDs may work.
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Data source:Social Security Administration
Coverage:US births 1879–2024
Updated:January 2025
ISR:Refreshes monthly
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