The name Larissa is of Greek origin and means "citadel" or "fortress." It is derived from the ancient city of Larisa in Thessaly, Greece, which was famous for its strong fortifications. The city was named after the daughter of Pelasgus, a king of Orchomenus, who was turned into a fortress by the god Zeus.
The name Larissa has been used throughout history and can be found in various forms across different cultures. In Greek mythology, Larissa is also the name of a nymph who was transformed into a river goddess. The name has been popularized in recent times due to its use in literature, such as in the works of Russian author Fyodor Dostoevsky.
Overall, Larissa is a strong and powerful name that carries with it a rich history and meaningful symbolism. It remains a popular choice for parents looking for a unique and significant name for their daughter.
The name Larissa has seen a significant rise in popularity among parents naming their daughters in the United States over the past seven decades, with notable fluctuations throughout that time period.
In the early years of its tracking by the Social Security Administration, between 1946 and 1958, Larissa saw a modest number of births each year, ranging from as few as six in 1946 to a high of 27 in 1959. However, starting in the late 1960s, the name began to gain more traction among parents.
Between 1968 and 1970, the number of births with the name Larissa tripled, from 199 in 1969 to a peak of 295 in 1970. This trend continued into the 1970s, with the name remaining popular throughout the decade, although there were slight decreases in some years.
The 1980s marked another significant turning point for Larissa's popularity. The number of births increased steadily from 425 in 1980 to a high of 684 in 1992. This period represented the peak of Larissa's popularity, with over six hundred babies named Larissa born each year between 1987 and 1992.
However, after reaching its zenith in the early 1990s, the number of births named Larissa began to decline steadily throughout the rest of the decade. This trend continued into the 2000s and 2010s, with the number of annual Larissa births falling from a high of 684 in 1992 to just 136 in 2022.
Despite this decline, Larissa remains a well-established name among American parents, having been given to over twenty-three thousand girls since its first recording by the Social Security Administration in 1946. Its popularity has fluctuated over the years, but it continues to be chosen as a name for newborn daughters across the United States.