Find out how popular the first name Norrisa has been for the last 4 years (from 1984 to 1987) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Norrisa by gender

Based on the last 4 years of data, Norrisa is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 1987, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Norrisa.

The history of the first name Norrisa

The name Norrisa is an English variant of the French name Norise or Norissa, which is derived from the Latin name Nurricia. It is believed to be a feminine form of the Roman name Nutricius, meaning "nurse" or "foster mother." The name has its roots in ancient Rome, where wet nurses were highly valued and respected for their role in nurturing and caring for infants.

The earliest recorded use of the name Norrisa can be traced back to the 13th century in England. It was particularly popular among the upper classes, as wet nurses were often employed by wealthy families to care for their children. Despite its origins as a name for a caregiver, Norrisa was also adopted as a given name for girls, reflecting the high regard for the role of a nurse in society.

One of the earliest known references to the name Norrisa can be found in the medieval English text "The Lays of Marie de France," written around 1200 CE. In this collection of lais, or short narrative poems, a character named Norrisa is mentioned, suggesting that the name was in use during that period.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Norrisa. One of the earliest recorded was Norrisa de Beaumont (c. 1250 - 1320), an English noblewoman and landowner from Leicestershire. Another notable figure was Norrisa Hayward (1564 - 1632), an English merchant and philanthropist who founded several charitable institutions in London.

In the 17th century, Norrisa Brewster (1609 - 1676) was a prominent Puritan woman who immigrated to the Massachusetts Bay Colony and was one of the founders of the town of Duxbury. Her legacy as a devout Puritan and early settler in colonial America has been well documented.

During the 18th century, Norrisa Buckingham (1701 - 1782) was a British writer and poet who published several works, including a collection of poems titled "The Female Advocate" in 1744. Her literary contributions were notable during a time when women writers were relatively rare.

In the 19th century, Norrisa Hayden (1819 - 1901) was an American social reformer and abolitionist who fought against slavery and advocated for women's rights. She was a prominent figure in the anti-slavery movement and worked alongside notable leaders such as William Lloyd Garrison and Frederick Douglass.

While the name Norrisa has declined in popularity in recent times, its rich history and connections to caregiving, philanthropy, literature, and social reform have left a lasting impact on the cultural significance of this unique and distinctive name.

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 Norrisa was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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