Charissa
Charissa is a girl's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
Grace, favor, or loving kindness.
Origin and history
Charissa is a feminine given name of Greek origin, derived from the word 'charis', meaning grace or kindness. It became moderately popular in the United States during the mid-to-late 20th century but remains relatively rare today. In literature, Charissa appears as a character representing charity in Edmund Spenser's 16th-century epic poem The Faerie Queene.
Popularity in the United States
5,140 babies in the United States have been named Charissa since 1880. It ranks #2420 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #2040.
States where it is most popular
- CA (21.6 %)
- TX (15.3 %)
- NY (9.9 %)
- OH (6.7 %)
- PA (5.9 %)
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 | 6 |
| 1950-1960 | 201 |
| 1960-1970 | 360 |
| 1970-1980 | 1,283 |
| 1980-1990 | 1,653 |
| 1990-2000 | 936 |
| 2000-2010 | 403 |
| 2010-2019 | 237 |
| 2020-2029 | 61 |
Famous people named Charissa
- Charissa Thompson: Sportscaster, Television host
- Charissa Chamorro: Actress
Nicknames
Rissa, Char, Chrissy
Fun facts
- In Edmund Spenser's epic poem The Faerie Queene, Charissa personifies Christian love and charity.
- It shares its etymological root with the Charites, the Graces of Greek mythology who embodied charm, beauty, and human creativity.