Nerissa Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Nerissa is a name of Latin origin, meaning 'sea nymph.' It evolved from the Latin 'nereis' and gained popularity through literary use, particularly in Shakespearean works. The name is seen as elegant and is linked to artistic contexts, with no significant biblical relevance.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Nerissa"
Pronunciation
/nəˈrɪsə/
Origin
Latin
Etymology
The name Nerissa is derived from the Latin word 'nereis,' referring to a sea nymph in Greek mythology. It has also been associated with the Greek word 'neros,' meaning 'water.'
Meaning
sea nymph
Language Evolution
Nereis (Latin), Nerissa (Early Modern English)
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in the 16th century, particularly due to its use by Shakespeare in 'The Merchant of Venice.'
Variants & Derivatives
Neri, Nerissa
Modern Popularity & Image
Nerissa is perceived as a unique and elegant name, often associated with literary and artistic circles.
Famous People
Nerissa Nields (musician), Nerissa Russell (actress)
📊 Nerissa Name Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Nerissa Name Visualizations
✨ Nerissa Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 73 peak births in 1979
Geographic Spread
Popular across 9 US states, with strongest presence in California
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 6 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Same Pronunciation Names for "Nerissa" - Complete Guide (2 Names)
Discover the ultimate list of homophone names and same pronunciation names that sound identical to "Nerissa". These names share the same pronunciation but may have different spellings, offering alternative options for parents seeking similar-sounding names. Whether you're looking for American or British pronunciation variations, this comprehensive guide includes 2 carefully curated names that maintain the same phonetic sound.
Why explore same pronunciation names? Many parents search for homophone names to find alternative spellings that might be more unique or culturally significant. This ultimate list covers both American and British pronunciation patterns, ensuring you find the perfect variation of "Nerissa" that fits your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Nerissa"
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 "Nerissa"
"Nerissa" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 7414th of 9107 | 13 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 4034th of 12526 | 175 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 2095th of 19264 | 648 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 2698th of 27321 | 662 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 5435th of 35406 | 369 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 11008th of 30306 | 101 |
Regional Popularity of "Nerissa" 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 "Nerissa" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - |
100.00% 2853rd/2853 |
- |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- |
51.13% 1781st/3483 |
59.84% 2105th/3518 |
54.45% 2202nd/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
71.40% 2631st/3685 |
57.77% 2585th/4475 |
58.55% 3041st/5194 |
36.60% 2312th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- |
100.00% 5164th/5164 |
- |
47.39% 3537th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Nerissa"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Nerissa" 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.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Nerissa" in the United States
The name Nerissa 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, Nerissa 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, 'Nerissa' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 7414th out of 9107 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 4034th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 2095th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 2698th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 5435th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 11008th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Nerissa' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.