Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Alisa
GirlRussian, Germanic· “noble; form of Alice or Elisa”
- Meaning
- noble; form of Alice or Elisa
- Origin
- Russian, Germanic
- Pronunciation
- uh-LEE-suh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #1,654
- US babies 2025
- 125
- Best rank
- #261 (1969)
- Peak year
- 1970
Meaning and origin of Alisa
Alisa is a Russian and Germanic name that is usually said to mean “noble; form of Alice or Elisa”.
Alisa has more than one source. In Russian and other Slavic languages, Alisa is the local form of Alice, which comes from the Germanic Adalheidis, noble kind. In other places it can be a variant of Elisa, a short form of Elisabeth, from the Hebrew for God is my oath. Because of these different paths, the name is well known across many countries. Alisa has a soft, graceful sound and works well in several languages. Ali and Lisa are easy nicknames, and it pairs well with short middle names.
Other spellings with the same sound: Elisa.
Popularity over time
Alisa first appears in US Social Security records in 1945. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 61 different years, starting in 1953. Its best national rank was #261 in 1969, and the most babies received it in 1970, when 1,153 were named Alisa. In 2025, 125 babies were named Alisa, and it ranked #1,654 nationally. That is 52% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #2,537 in 1950, #374 in 1980, #611 in 2000, #931 in 2010, and #1,654 in 2025. Of the 34,705 US girls named Alisa since records began, 24% were born in the 1960s, its biggest decade. The 1970s come next, with 7,586 babies. Since 2010, 3,530 more have been named Alisa.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Marcy, Staci, Jodie, Karin, and Candy.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Alisa ranked highest in Massachusetts, Virginia, and California.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | #880 | 5 |
| Virginia | #1043 | 6 |
| California | #1054 | 25 |
| Florida | #1058 | 14 |
| New York | #1090 | 13 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Alisa is usually pronounced uh-LEE-suh, with three syllables. It has five letters, starts with A and ends in “-sa”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Elisa.
Middle names for Alisa
A few middle names that flow with Alisa: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Alisa
Similar names
Alissa Girl
uh-LIH-suh
“form of Alice or Alyssa” · English
#1,942
Alyssa Girl
uh-LIS-uh
“form of Alice; also alyssum flower” · English
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Marissa Girl
muh-RIH-suh
“elaboration of Maria; linked to the sea” · English
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Louisa Girl
loo-EE-zuh
“famous warrior” · Latin
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Larissa Girl
luh-RIH-suh
“citadel; also a Greek city” · Greek
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Theresa Girl
tuh-REE-suh
“uncertain; perhaps 'harvest'” · Greek
#1,559
Anissa Girl
uh-NEE-suh
“uncertain; possibly from Anisa, friendly companion” · Arabic
#3,071
Melisa Girl
muh-LEE-suh
“honeybee” · Greek
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Vanessa Girl
vuh-NEH-suh
“invented by Jonathan Swift” · English
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Melissa Girl
muh-LIS-uh
“honeybee” · Greek
#420
Julissa Girl
joo-LIH-suh
“elaboration of Julia” · Spanish
#1,136
Natasha Girl
nuh-TAH-shuh
“Christmas day” · Russian
#1,148
Lists that include Alisa
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Alisa mean?
Alisa is a Russian and Germanic name that is usually said to mean “noble; form of Alice or Elisa”.
What is the origin of the name Alisa?
Alisa has Russian, Germanic, and Hebrew roots. Alisa has more than one source.
Is Alisa a popular name?
Not especially. Alisa ranked #1,654 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Alisa a boy or girl name?
Alisa is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Alisa?
Alisa is usually pronounced uh-LEE-suh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings