Larisa is a female given name of Greek origin. It is derived from the Greek word "larissa," which means "laurel." In ancient Greece, laurel was a sacred plant dedicated to Apollo, the god of light and prophecy. Therefore, the name Larisa is associated with brightness, wisdom, and prophecy.
The name Larisa has been used throughout history in various forms across different cultures. In Greek mythology, there was a nymph named Larissa who was beloved by the god Zeus. She gave birth to several children after Zeus transformed himself into a serpent to approach her.
In Russia, the name Larisa gained popularity during the Soviet era. It was often given to girls born in the city of Laringrad (now known as Saint Petersburg). The name is still popular today among Russian-speaking communities around the world.
Larisa has also been used as a surname, particularly in Greece and Italy. Some famous individuals with this name include Larisa Shepitko, a Soviet film director, and Larisa Latynina, a retired Soviet gymnast who holds the record for the most Olympic gold medals won by any gymnast.
In literature, the name Larisa appears in works such as "The Master and Margarita" by Mikhail Bulgakov. The character Larissa Fedorovna Peshkova is portrayed as an intelligent and independent woman who becomes involved with the novel's supernatural events.
Today, Larisa remains a beautiful and meaningful name that parents continue to choose for their daughters. Its Greek origins give it an elegant and timeless quality, while its historical significance adds depth and intrigue to this classic name.
Based on the statistics provided, we can observe several trends related to the number of births with the name Larisa in the United States from 1951 to 2023.
Firstly, there is notable fluctuation in the popularity of the name Larisa over time. The highest number of births recorded for the name was in 1967 and 1968 with 84 and 100 births respectively. This indicates that the name gained significant traction during this period.
However, after peaking in the late 1960s, the popularity of the name began to decline steadily. By the early 2000s, the number of births with the name Larisa had decreased significantly, with fewer than 50 births recorded annually between 2001 and 2016.
Interestingly, there was a slight resurgence in the popularity of the name after 2016. Between 2017 and 2023, the number of births with the name Larisa ranged from 16 to 23 annually, indicating that the name may be experiencing renewed interest among parents.
Overall, while the popularity of the name Larisa has fluctuated over time, it remains a relatively uncommon name in the United States. As of 2023, there have been a total of 3426 births with the name Larisa recorded since 1951.