Yarissa
A feminine name of uncertain origin, potentially derived from Greek elements.
Name Census estimates that about 186 living Americans carry the first name Yarissa. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Yarissa today is around 22 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Yarissa births was 2004 (21 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Yarissa. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
186
~ 1 in 1,842,765 Americans
Peak year
2004
21 babies that year
Average age
22
years old
2022 SSA rank
#15,220
Tracked since 1992
Popularity
Yarissa: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Yarissa from the 1990s through to the 2020s, spanning 4 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2000s, with 97 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 2000s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Yarissa by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Yarissa during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Yarissas live
Origin
Meaning and history of Yarissa
The given name Yarissa has its origins in the ancient Etruscan language, which was spoken in what is now modern-day Italy during the Iron Age, around the 8th century BCE. The name is derived from the Etruscan word "Yaris," meaning "strong" or "unyielding," and was often bestowed upon female children in the hopes of imparting the qualities of strength and resilience.
While the Etruscan civilization eventually fell under the influence of the Roman Empire, the name Yarissa continued to be used in parts of Italy throughout the Roman era. It is believed to have been mentioned in several ancient texts and inscriptions, though many of these records have been lost or damaged over time.
One of the earliest known historical figures to bear the name Yarissa was an Etruscan noblewoman who lived in the 5th century BCE. She was renowned for her leadership skills and is said to have played a crucial role in the defense of her city during a period of conflict.
In the 12th century CE, a woman named Yarissa di Firenze gained recognition as a skilled poet and philosopher in the city of Florence. Her work, which explored themes of love, nature, and the human condition, was widely celebrated during her lifetime and inspired many subsequent writers.
During the Renaissance period, a prominent Italian artist named Yarissa Borghese (1520-1588) made significant contributions to the world of painting and sculpture. Her works, which often depicted scenes from classical mythology and religious narratives, were highly sought after by wealthy patrons and are now housed in prestigious museums and galleries around the world.
In the 18th century, a French noblewoman named Yarissa de Montfort (1745-1812) became known for her philanthropic efforts and advocacy for women's education. She established several schools and charitable organizations, and her legacy continues to inspire efforts towards social justice and equality.
Another notable figure was Yarissa Karolina (1825-1901), a Polish activist and writer who played a significant role in the struggle for Polish independence from foreign rule. Her passionate writings and speeches inspired many to join the cause, and she is celebrated as a national hero in Poland.
These are just a few examples of the many remarkable individuals throughout history who have borne the name Yarissa. While its usage has ebbed and flowed over the centuries, the name continues to carry echoes of its ancient Etruscan roots, representing strength, determination, and a resilient spirit.
People
Yarissa + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Yarissa as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with Y
Other first names starting with Y with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Yarissa: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Yarissa?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 186 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Yarissa going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 1,842,765 US residents.
Is Yarissa a common name?
We classify Yarissa as "Very Rare". It ranks above 73.2% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 189 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Yarissa most popular?
The single biggest year for Yarissa was 2004, when 21 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Yarissa is about 22 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Yarissa a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Yarissa in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.