Larissa

Variation of Larisa, Greek and Russian

"citadel"

Larissa Origin and Meaning

The name Larissa is a girl's name of Greek, Russian origin meaning "citadel".

Larissa is a nymph name that's daintily pretty and a fresh alternative to Melissa or Alyssa. Though this is the more common variation in the Western World, the original is actually Larisa.

And though it may sound like a typical Edwardian/Victorian appellation, Larissa was hardly heard here before 1967, which was two years after the release of the hit film Doctor Zhivago, whose heroine was Larissa, called Lara, the inspiration for the haunting 'Lara's Theme.'

In Greek mythology, Larissa or Larisa was a nymph who was a daughter of Pegasus and loved by Mercury. In 1991, her name was given to a moon of Neptune, in honor of the nymph.

Today, Larissa is a very attractive yet underused choice that might appeal to parents who like such feminine names as Melissa and Marissa but are seeking something a bit fresher.

Larissa Rank in US Top 1000

# 853 in the US

Larissa Rank in Nameberry Top 1000

# 771 on Nameberry

Larissa Popularity

• 771 Nameberry 2024
• 479 Unique 2023
• 989 England 2019
• 170 Germany 2016
• 173 Switzerland 2021
• 65 Estonia 2023

20 Names Similar to Larissa

These 20 names were selected by our users that were looking for other names like Larissa.

• Larisa
• Marissa
• Carissa
• Karissa
• Melania
• Kiera
• Clarissa
• Nerissa
• Lyssa
• Lara
• Felicia
• Keziah
• Juliana
• Calista
• Kalina
• Musetta
• Melissa
• Vanessa
• Gardenia
• Harmonia

Famous People Named Larissa

• Saint Larissa 4th century Goth martyr
• Larissa Hope Wilson English actress
• Larissa França Brazilian beach volleyball player
• Larissa Joy Waters Australian Senator
• Larissa Costa (Silva de Oliveira) Miss Brazil 2009
• Larissa Ramos (Costa) Brazilian Miss Earth 2009
• Larissa Lai Canadian novelist
• Larissa Tahireh "Lara" Giddings Australian politician, 44th premier of Tasmania
• Larissa Meek American beauty queen and reality TV personality
• Larissa del Mar Fiallo (Scanlón) Miss Dominican Republic Universe 2004
• Larissa Mabel Riquelme (Frutos) Paraguayan model and actress
• Larissa Rose Crummer Australian soccer player

Larissa in Pop Culture

• Larissa Greek nymph
• Larissa minor character in Lois Lowry's "The Giver"
• Larissa capital of Thessaly, Greece
• Larissa moon of Neptune
• Larissa "Lardo" Duan character in webcomic "Check Please!"