Given name
Arissa
“one who is superior”·“the best”
Arissa is a feminine form of Aris. In American use, Aris carries the interpretation “the best.”
Meaning & origin
What it means
In Greek use, Arissa carries the interpretation “one who is superior.” Arissa is a feminine form of Aris. In American use, Aris carries the interpretation “the best.”
Combines direct and name-family evidence
Where it comes from
An origin associated with this spelling is Greek.
How it developed
Arissa is used as a feminine counterpart of Aris.
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1970. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Arissa through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 2,491
- 0 boys · 2,491 girls
- Most popular year
- 2003
- 221 babies
- 2025
- 32
- #4,367 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- −33%
- Easing
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 32 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 4,367 among girls’ names. Average annual use for girls was 33.5% lower in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for girls was 221 in 2003. In 2025, California and Texas shared the largest reported state-level birth count for girls with this name (5 each). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 1,984 as a first name in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Arissa’s family of names
Arissa is a feminine form of Aris. Arissa has a related form in Arisa. Arissa has a related form in Aris.
Inner ring: spellings · outer: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 5
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Spellings & scripts 1
The same name written differently, including transliterations into other scripts.
Similar names
If you love Arissa, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Uriana
“from the unknown; heavenly”
>99% girls
Saba
“woman from Sheba” · “born in the morning”
8% boys · 92% girls
Anisia
“equal”
>99% girls
Jarina
“one who works the earth; a farmer”
>99% girls
Eirini
“peace”
>99% girls
Syna
“two together”
>99% girls
Dafni
“laurel”
>99% girls
Macarena
“blessed, happy”
>99% girls