Alyssa is a feminine given name with multiple origins. Alysa is an alternative spelling.[1]

Alyssa
Alyssa may be derived from the name of the flower alyssum
Genderfeminine
Origin
Word/nameGreek
MeaningWithout rage/rabies
Other names
Alternative spellingAlysa, Alisa, Elissa, Alissa, Aylissa

As used in Western countries, the name is usually derived from the name of the flower alyssum. The name of the flower derives from the Greek ἀ- a- ("not") and λύσσα lyssa ("mania, rabies"); the flower was formerly thought to cure skin diseases. It shares many variants in common with the name Alice and is occasionally considered a form of that name as well.[2]

Other equivalents of Alice include Alisa and Alissa. Elissa (Arabic: اليسار / ALA-LC: Alīssār; اليسا / Alīssā; عليسا ‘Alīssā; عليسة / ‘Alīssah) are variations of the name of Queen Elissa, the founder of Carthage, used in Middle Eastern countries.[3][4]

The name has been popular in the United States, where it ranked among the top 20 names between 2000 and 2009. The name's popularity declined steadily throughout the next decade, and by 2020 its rank had fallen to 199.[5]

Notables with the name Alyssa

Notables with the name Alysa

Fictional characters

References

  1. ^ Osborn, Susan (1999). "Alyssa". What's in a Name?. Simon and Schuster. p. 27. ISBN 9780671025557.
  2. ^ Mike Campbell. "Meaning, Origin and History of the Name Alyssa". Behind the Name. Retrieved 2013-06-01.
  3. ^ "Al- Watan Daily's Article" (in Arabic). www.alwatan.com.sa. Archived from the original on 2007-09-28. Retrieved 2007-07-27.
  4. ^ "National Organization for Civil Registration (An Iranian Government Office) - Directory of Names" (in Persian). www.nocrir.com. Retrieved 2007-07-27.
  5. ^ "Popular Baby Names". Ssa.gov. 2009-08-26. Archived from the original on 2018-02-02. Retrieved 2022-04-19.