How to say it
a · LYS · sa
əˈlɪs.ə
Feminine
Alyssa
Alyssum flower; rational
What it means
From the flower alyssum, whose Greek name means 'without madness,' and linked to Alice and Adelaide.
Alyssa usually points to the alyssum, a small flower whose Greek name a-lyssa means 'without frenzy,' since it was once thought to calm rage. It also reads as an elaboration of Alice and Adelaide. A big hit from the 1980s on, friendly and pretty, with Aly and Lissa as shorts. Said uh-LISS-uh.
How to spell Alyssa
The standard spelling is Alyssa. Common variants include Alissa, Alyssia, Alisa, but Alyssa is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #11 in 1998, currently #453 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Nickname
Aly, Lissa.
- Spelling
Also Alissa or Alisa.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Alyssa Milano American actress known for Charmed and Who's the Boss
Spelling variants
- Alissa
- Alyssia
- Alisa
Names with the same feeling
See Alyssa from another angle
By meaning
Common questions
- What does the name Alyssa mean?
- From the flower alyssum, whose Greek name means 'without madness,' and linked to Alice and Adelaide.
- What does Alyssa mean in Greek?
- In Greek, Alyssa means "Alyssum flower; rational." Alyssa usually points to the alyssum, a small flower whose Greek name a-lyssa means 'without frenzy,' since it was once thought to calm rage. It also reads as an elaboration of Alice and Adelaide. A big hit from the 1980s on, friendly and pretty, with Aly and Lissa as shorts. Said uh-LISS-uh.
- How do you pronounce Alyssa?
- Alyssa is pronounced əˈlɪs.ə. Say it as a-LYS-sa, with the stress on the "lys" syllable.
- How do you spell Alyssa?
- The standard spelling is Alyssa. Common spelling variants include Alissa, Alyssia, Alisa.
- Is Alyssa a boy or girl name?
- Alyssa is traditionally a feminine name.
- How popular is the name Alyssa?
- Alyssa ranked #453 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.