Find out how popular the first name Lisa has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Lisa by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Lisa is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 100% of people named Lisa being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 313 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Lisa.

The history of the first name Lisa

The name Lisa is derived from the Hebrew name Elizabeth, which means "consecrated to God" or "my God is an oath." The name's origins can be traced back to the Old Testament, where it appears as Elisheva, the wife of Aaron, the brother of Moses.

In ancient times, the name Elizabeth was popular among Jews and later adopted by Christians. The abbreviated form, Lisa, emerged in the Middle Ages as a diminutive or pet form of the name Elizabeth. It was particularly common in Italy, where it was spelled as Lisa or Lisa.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Lisa can be found in the 13th-century poem "Divina Commedia" by Dante Alighieri, where a character named Lisa is mentioned. In the 14th century, the Italian author Giovanni Boccaccio also featured a character named Lisa in his famous work "Decameron."

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Lisa. One of the most famous was Lisa del Giocondo, an Italian noblewoman who is believed to have been the subject of Leonardo da Vinci's iconic painting, the Mona Lisa, completed around 1506.

Another significant figure was Lisa Gherardini, an Italian woman who lived in Florence in the 15th century and was the wife of a wealthy silk merchant. Some historians believe she may have been the model for the Mona Lisa, although this is still debated.

In the 16th century, Lisa Lotti was an Italian painter and architect who was one of the few women artists of the Renaissance period. She was born in 1555 and is known for her architectural designs and paintings.

In more recent times, the name Lisa has been associated with several influential figures, such as Lisa Kudrow, the American actress best known for her role as Phoebe Buffay on the popular sitcom "Friends." Kudrow was born in 1963.

Another notable Lisa is Lisa Marie Presley, the daughter of music legend Elvis Presley. She was born in 1968 and has pursued a career as a singer and songwriter.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Lisa was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Lisa, please contact us.

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