Everything about the name NERISSA

Meaning, origin, history

Nerissa is a unique and captivating feminine given name of Italian origin. It is derived from the Italian word "neri," which means "black." The name Nerissa is often associated with the character Nerissa, one of the two servants in Shakespeare's play "The Merchant of Venice." In this context, Nerissa is known for her intelligence and loyalty to her mistress, Portia. However, it is important to note that there is no historical evidence suggesting that the name Nerissa was commonly used in Italy during Shakespeare's time or before. Instead, it appears that Shakespeare created the name specifically for his play. Despite its theatrical origins, the name Nerissa has gained popularity as a given name in recent years, likely due to its unique sound and Italian roots. It is often spelled with two "s"es at the end (Nerissa) but can also appear with one "s" (Neris). Overall, Nerissa is an elegant and distinctive choice for parents looking for an uncommon yet meaningful feminine given name.

See also

Italian

Popularity of the name NERISSA since 1880

Birth evolution

Popularity analysis

The statistics provided show the number of births given the name Nerissa in the United States from 1915 to 2021. The data reveals that the popularity of this name has varied over time, with a notable increase in usage during the mid-20th century and a decline in recent years.

In the early decades, there were fewer than ten births per year with the name Nerissa. However, starting around the 1950s, the number of annual births increased significantly. The highest peak occurred in 1978 with 63 births, followed by another peak in 1981 with 72 births.

The late 1970s and early 1980s marked a period when Nerissa was quite popular as a baby name, but its popularity began to decline thereafter. From the mid-1980s onwards, the number of annual births with this name fluctuated between 15 and 43.

In recent years, the usage of the name Nerissa has been relatively low, with fewer than ten births per year since 2016. Despite this decline in popularity, it's interesting to note that there have still been some babies named Nerissa born each year during this period.

Overall, these statistics provide insights into the trends and fluctuations in the usage of the name Nerissa over the past century in the United States.

Variations of the Name NERISSA

NERISA 10
NERRISSA 10