The name Marissa is derived from the ancient Greek name Maria, which itself is a variant of the Hebrew name Miriam. The name Maria was widely used in the Christian tradition, honoring the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ.

Marissa emerged as a diminutive form of Maria, likely originating in Italy or other parts of southern Europe during the Middle Ages. The suffix "-issa" was a common way to create feminine diminutive names in Greek and Latin.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Marissa can be found in the work of the Italian poet Dante Alighieri, who mentioned a woman named Marissa in his Divine Comedy, written in the early 14th century.

In the 16th century, a notable Marissa was Marissa Ferreira, a Portuguese noblewoman and courtier who served as a lady-in-waiting to Queen Catherine of Austria.

During the Renaissance period, the name gained popularity among the European aristocracy. Marissa de' Medici, an Italian noblewoman from the famous Medici family, was a prominent figure in the 16th century.

In the 18th century, Marissa Gherardi was an Italian painter and printmaker who gained recognition for her intricate etchings and engravings.

Another notable figure was Marissa Mori, a 19th-century Italian writer and feminist activist who advocated for women's rights and education.

The name Marissa continued to be used throughout Europe and eventually spread to other parts of the world, particularly after the Age of Exploration and the establishment of European colonies.