Malissa: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade	Girls	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	185	19	–	#348
1890s	192	19	+4%	#592
1900s	196	20	+2%	#652
1910s	250	25	+28%	#932
1920s	265	27	+6%	#1,237
1930s	121	12	-54%	#1,787
1940s	149	15	+23%	#1,939
1950s	293	29	+97%	#1,581
1960s	1,403	140	+379%	#600
1970s	2,657	266	+89%	#548
1980s	1,804	180	-32%	#725
1990s	902	90	-50%	#1,151
2000s	302	30	-67%	#3,706
2010s	113	11	-63%	#7,522
2020s (to 2025)	34	6	-50%	#11,546

Decade

Girls

Per year

Change

Best rank

1880s

185

–

#348

1890s

192

+4%

#592

1900s

196

+2%

#652

1910s

250

+28%

#932

1920s

265

+6%

#1,237

1930s

121

-54%

#1,787

1940s

149

+23%

#1,939

1950s

293

+97%

#1,581

1960s

1,403

140

+379%

#600

1970s

2,657

266

+89%

#548

1980s

1,804

180

-32%

#725

1990s

902

-50%

#1,151

2000s

302

-67%

#3,706

2010s

113

-63%

#7,522

2020s (to 2025)

-50%

#11,546

The story of Malissa

Malissa is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #11,546 in 2025 with 8 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 1880, 8,866 American babies have been named Malissa. Its peak came in 1979, when 307 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 1970s.

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 Malissa stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Malissa?

The median living Malissa is about 48 years old; half are between 39 and 55. An estimated 7,300 people named Malissa are alive in the United States today.

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

Malissa year by year

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

Year	Girls	Girls rank
2025	8	#11,546
2024	–	–
2023	7	#12,966
2022	5	#16,835
2021	6	#14,616
2020	8	#11,747
2019	5	#17,099
2018	14	#8,010
2017	6	#15,261
2016	12	#9,222
2015	11	#9,913
2014	16	#7,522
2013	13	#8,882
2012	8	#12,978
2011	16	#7,667
2010	12	#9,590
2009	20	#6,724
2008	32	#4,722
2007	32	#4,627
2006	28	#5,047
2005	31	#4,445
2004	30	#4,568
2003	30	#4,376
2002	32	#4,042
2001	32	#3,998
2000	35	#3,706
1995	60	#2,228
1990	150	#1,151
1985	170	#930
1980	207	#793
1975	231	#659
1970	265	#630
1965	126	#896
1960	51	#1,571
1955	22	#2,380
1950	20	#2,226
1945	10	#3,045
1940	18	#1,939
1935	14	#2,263
1930	21	#1,787
1925	18	#2,159
1920	28	#1,571
1915	23	#1,553
1910	22	#932
1905	23	#771
1900	30	#652
1895	24	#636
1890	20	#592
1885	25	#423
1880	22	#348

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Malissa, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Malissa?

The median living Malissa is about 48 years old. Half of all living Malissas are between 39 and 55 years old.

How many people named Malissa are alive today?

An estimated 7,300 people named Malissa are alive in the United States, based on 8,866 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

How popular is the name Malissa in 2025?

Malissa ranked #11,546 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 8 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Malissa?

8,866 babies have been named Malissa in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Malissa most popular?

Malissa peaked in 1979, when 307 newborns received the name.

Is Malissa a boy or girl name?

Malissa is overwhelmingly a girl's name: 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Malissa rising or falling?

Malissa is declining, less popular now than a decade ago.

Malissa

Malissa popularity over time

The story of Malissa

How old are people named Malissa?

Malissa year by year

Frequently asked questions

Names like Malissa