Nerissa
Coined by Shakespeare for The Merchant of Venice, apparently from Ancient Greek Νηρηΐς (Nērēḯs, “sea-nymph”).
Every Nerissa since 1915 — 1,977 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Nerissa
Nerissa is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #10,681 in 2025 with 9 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1915, 1,977 American babies have been named Nerissa. Its peak came in 1979, when 73 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 Nerissa stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Nerissa year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 9 | #10,681 |
| 2024 | 6 | #14,792 |
| 2023 | 5 | #16,923 |
| 2022 | — | — |
| 2021 | 8 | #11,891 |
| 2020 | 8 | #11,831 |
| 2019 | 9 | #11,128 |
| 2018 | 8 | #12,184 |
| 2017 | 15 | #7,740 |
| 2016 | 15 | #7,884 |
| 2015 | 5 | #18,378 |
| 2014 | 14 | #8,376 |
| 2013 | 8 | #12,830 |
| 2012 | 11 | #10,229 |
| 2011 | 9 | #11,901 |
| 2010 | 17 | #7,427 |
| 2009 | 21 | #6,489 |
| 2008 | 18 | #7,320 |
| 2007 | 29 | #5,058 |
| 2006 | 20 | #6,537 |
| 2005 | 22 | #5,740 |
| 2004 | 33 | #4,250 |
| 2003 | 22 | #5,552 |
| 2002 | 26 | #4,723 |
| 2001 | 31 | #4,084 |
| 2000 | 23 | #5,104 |
| 1995 | 35 | #3,269 |
| 1990 | 41 | #2,836 |
| 1985 | 39 | #2,527 |
| 1980 | 54 | #1,972 |
| 1975 | 51 | #1,828 |
| 1970 | 27 | #2,682 |
| 1965 | 26 | #2,389 |
| 1960 | 11 | #4,099 |
| 1955 | 6 | #5,661 |
| 1950 | 7 | #4,615 |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1915 | 6 | #4,115 |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Nerissa mean?
Coined by Shakespeare for The Merchant of Venice, apparently from Ancient Greek Νηρηΐς (Nērēḯs, “sea-nymph”).
How popular is the name Nerissa in 2025?
Nerissa ranked #10,681 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 9 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Nerissa?
1,977 babies have been named Nerissa in the United States since 1915, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Nerissa most popular?
Nerissa peaked in 1979, when 73 newborns received the name.
Is Nerissa a boy or girl name?
Nerissa is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Nerissa rising or falling?
Nerissa is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.