girls' name · peaked 1965

Lisa

Diminutive of Elisabeth in several European languages.

Every Lisa since 1886 — 970,012 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
1020304018801900192019401960198020002020GirlsBoys
GirlsBoys
Rank 2025
#991
among girls
Babies in 2025
256
named Lisa
Peak year
1965
60,448 babies
All-time total
970,012
since 1886

The story of Lisa

Lisa is uncommon for girls in the United States, ranked #991 in 2025 with 256 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 1886, 970,012 American babies have been named Lisa. Its peak came in 1965, when 60,448 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1960s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Lisa stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Lisa year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year Girls Girls rank Boys Boys rank
2025 256 #991
2024 264 #985
2023 317 #848
2022 290 #932
2021 248 #1,026
2020 243 #1,037
2019 277 #955
2018 308 #878
2017 309 #882
2016 346 #829
2015 374 #755
2014 378 #740
2013 354 #771
2012 398 #707
2011 396 #704
2010 396 #713
2009 420 #693
2008 510 #603
2007 525 #573
2006 609 #500
2005 619 #494
2004 710 #427
2003 811 #372
2002 830 #360
2001 908 #337
2000 1,088 #295 7 #8,759
1995 2,236 #144
1990 5,347 #64 14 #4,106
1985 9,012 #36 33 #1,821
1980 15,664 #16 61 #1,170
1975 18,139 #8 69 #989
1970 38,967 #2 137 #711
1965 60,271 #1 177 #576
1960 33,693 #6 86 #823
1955 8,539 #48 20 #1,763
1950 1,175 #220
1945 250 #451
1940 89 #737
1935 31 #1,323
1930 32 #1,360
1925 13 #2,707
1920 17 #2,220
1915 14 #2,197
1910 9 #1,705
1905 5 #2,100
1900
1895
1890
1885
1880

Famous people named Lisa

  1. Lisa del Giocondo Celebrity · 1479–1542
  2. Lisa Kudrow Actor · b. 1963
  3. Lisa Ann Pornographic actor · b. 1972
  4. Lisa Marie Presley Singer · b. 1968
  5. Lisa Edelstein Actor · b. 1966

Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Lisa mean?

Diminutive of Elisabeth in several European languages.

How popular is the name Lisa in 2025?

Lisa ranked #991 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 256 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Lisa?

970,012 babies have been named Lisa in the United States since 1886, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Lisa most popular?

Lisa peaked in 1965, when 60,448 newborns received the name.

Is Lisa a boy or girl name?

Lisa is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Lisa rising or falling?

Lisa is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Lisa?

Well-known people named Lisa include Lisa del Giocondo (celebrity), Lisa Kudrow (actor), Lisa Ann (pornographic actor).

Names like Lisa

Compare Lisa with similar names →