Merissa Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Merissa is a name that traces back to the Hebrew name Miriam, meaning 'bitter sea.' It has evolved through languages, including Latin and English, and signifies femininity and strength. The name does not have specific biblical relevance, but its roots are historically significant. Merissa is perceived positively in modern culture, often celebrated for its uniqueness.
The name Merissa is most popular in California, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Millennials (Gen Y) generation in the West region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Merissa has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Merissa' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 11867th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 3041st out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 1311th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 2512th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 14385th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Merissa' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Merissa"
Pronunciation
/məˈrɪsə/
Origin
Latin and Greek
Etymology
The name Merissa is derived from the name 'Mary,' which itself has roots in the Hebrew name 'Miriam,' meaning 'sea of bitterness' or 'rebelliousness.' The addition of the 'issa' suffix is often associated with a diminutive form or a feminine ending.
Meaning
bitter sea
Language Evolution
Miriam (Hebrew), Maria (Latin), Mary (English), Merissa (Modern English)
Historical Usage
The name Merissa has gained popularity in modern times, particularly in English-speaking countries, as a variant of the more traditional name Mary.
Variants & Derivatives
Marissa, Marisa, Mirella
Modern Popularity & Image
Merissa is perceived as a modern and feminine name, often associated with strength and grace. It is relatively unique compared to its variants, giving it an appealing individuality.
Famous People
Merissa McNabb, a notable figure in sports, Merissa Dwyer, a recognized artist
Explore More Merissa Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Merissa"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Merissa"
"Merissa" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 11867th of 12526 | 6 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 3041st of 19264 | 367 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 1311th of 27321 | 1,898 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 2512th of 35406 | 1,081 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 14385th of 30306 | 60 |
Regional Popularity of "Merissa" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Merissa" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
89.27% 2622nd/2937 |
70.03% 2439th/3483 |
- |
63.92% 2585th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
32.86% 1211th/3685 |
27.78% 1243rd/4475 |
36.08% 1874th/5194 |
18.55% 1172nd/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
50.00% 2291st/4582 |
50.37% 2601st/5164 |
41.86% 3061st/7313 |
32.15% 2399th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Merissa"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Merissa" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.