Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Liza
GirlEnglish, Hebrew· “short form of Elizabeth; God is my oath”
- Meaning
- short form of Elizabeth; God is my oath
- Origin
- English, Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- LY-zuh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,648
- US babies 2025
- 126
- Best rank
- #345 (1881)
- Peak year
- 1973
Meaning and origin of Liza
Liza is an English and Hebrew name that means “short form of Elizabeth; God is my oath”.
Liza is a short form of Elizabeth, which comes from the Hebrew Elisheva, meaning God is my oath. It has long been used as a pet name in English, and it is also the traditional diminutive of Elizaveta in Russian. The name carries a spirited, playful charm, and performer Liza Minnelli gave it a glamorous showbiz image. It is short, bright and easy to pair with longer middle names. Parents who want the history of Elizabeth in a lighter, more energetic form often find Liza a perfect fit.
Popularity over time
Liza has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 69 different years. Its best national rank was #345 in 1881, and the most babies received it in 1973, when 518 were named Liza. In 2025, 126 babies were named Liza, and it ranked #1,648 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #1,458 in 1920, #1,219 in 1950, #462 in 1980, #1,351 in 2000, #2,132 in 2010, and #1,648 in 2025. Of the 17,641 US girls named Liza since records began, 24% were born in the 1970s, its biggest decade. The 1980s come next, with 3,082 babies. Since 2010, 1,891 more have been named Liza.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Latanya, Shanda, Latonia, Demetria, and Tawana.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Liza ranked highest in Mississippi, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | #597 | 5 |
| Kentucky | #812 | 5 |
| Tennessee | #953 | 7 |
| Ohio | #1093 | 8 |
| Virginia | #1300 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Liza is usually pronounced LY-zuh, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with L and ends in “-za”.
Middle names for Liza
A few middle names that flow with Liza: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Liza
Similar names
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Lists that include Liza
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Liza mean?
Liza is an English and Hebrew name that means “short form of Elizabeth; God is my oath”.
What is the origin of the name Liza?
Liza has English and Hebrew roots. Liza is a short form of Elizabeth, which comes from the Hebrew Elisheva, meaning God is my oath.
Is Liza a popular name?
Not especially. Liza ranked #1,648 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Liza a boy or girl name?
Liza is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Liza?
Liza is usually pronounced LY-zuh. 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