Alyssa
Alyssa is a girl's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
Noble or rational; also associated with the sweet alyssum flower.
Origin and history
Alyssa is a modern feminine name derived either from the sweet alyssum flower or as a variant of Alicia, which traces back to the Germanic name Adalheidis meaning 'noble'. It experienced immense popularity in the United States during the late 1990s and early 2000s. Today, it remains a well-known classic choice for girls.
Popularity in the United States
314,606 babies in the United States have been named Alyssa since 1880. It ranks #125 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #302.
States where it is most popular
- CA (14.6 %)
- TX (9.6 %)
- NY (6.8 %)
- FL (5 %)
- PA (4.7 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 0 |
| 1950-1960 | 98 |
| 1960-1970 | 1,503 |
| 1970-1980 | 6,079 |
| 1980-1990 | 32,952 |
| 1990-2000 | 115,255 |
| 2000-2010 | 114,507 |
| 2010-2019 | 37,935 |
| 2020-2029 | 6,277 |
Famous people named Alyssa
- Alyssa Milano: Actress, Producer
- Alyssa Thomas: Athlete, Basketball Player
Nicknames
Lyss, Lyssa, Liss
Fun facts
- The name is tied to the botanical genus Alyssum, historically believed in folk medicine to cure madness.
- Alyssa consistently ranked among the top 20 most popular girl names in the U.S. throughout the late 1990s.