N
NamyLab

Nerissa

female
Updated 6 months ago

Meaning

"Sea Nymph"

Nerissa is a literary name derived from Greek nereid imagery, interpreted as a sea nymph or sea spirit.

Themes:seamythologyliterary
MythologyMythologicalNatureNaturalUniqueRare

Fact-checked by Lily Anderson

M.F.A. Creative Writing, Sarah LawrencePublished NovelistName Collection Curator • Creative Names Editor

This name has been verified against authoritative sources including SSA data, etymology databases, and cultural naming traditions.

Popularity History of Nerissa

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#14738Ranked in 2024

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Yearly Ranking Snapshot

Pick any SSA release year to inspect that year's national ranking and how it changed from the year before.

Selected Year Rank
#14738

Nerissa was nationally ranked in 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year
+2170

better than 2023

Data Source

Popularity rankings are based on official data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), which tracks baby name applications in the United States.

Last updated: 2024 • Data source updated annually

Nerissa Nicknames

Familiar short forms, playful variations, and easy everyday options for Nerissa.

10 ideas
Nerie
Nickname
Neri
Nickname
nery
Nickname
neri
Nickname
issa
Nickname
ssay
Nickname
risy
Nickname
ne
Nickname
nie
Nickname
ny
Nickname

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Baby Name Lists That Include Nerissa

Browse every Namylab list page that currently includes Nerissa, from meaning and origin collections to letter, syllable, and themed baby name lists.

21 linked lists

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Nerissa mean?
Nerissa means "Sea Nymph". Nerissa is a literary name derived from Greek nereid imagery, interpreted as a sea nymph or sea spirit.
What is the origin of Nerissa?
Nerissa is of Greek origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.
How popular is the name Nerissa?
According to the latest SSA data, Nerissa is currently ranked #14738 in the United States. The name has shown interesting trends over the past century, with popularity varying based on cultural preferences and naming trends.
Is Nerissa a girl name?
Nerissa is traditionally a girl name. However, modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal preference.
What are good nicknames for Nerissa?
Popular nicknames for Nerissa include Nerie, Neri, nery, neri, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.
What names are similar to Nerissa?
There are many names similar to Nerissa in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginGreek, English
Syllables3
Length7 letters
US Rank#14738
Trend↑ Rising
Starts withN

Sibling Ideas

Explore More Girl Names Like Nerissa

Nerissa has Greek roots, making it a wonderful choice if you love names from this heritage. Discover more options in our Greek baby names collection, where you'll find hundreds of names with similar cultural depth.

Nerissa appears in several of our curated collections. Check out Names That Mean Nature and Names That Mean Ocean for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing Names That Mean Water for Boys and Girls and Earth-Inspired Nature Names.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Nerissa pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Nerissa beautifully, and the Nickname Predictor reveals the most common short forms.

Explore our full baby name lists for origin-based, meaning-based, and themed collections, or head back to the baby name generator to continue your search.