The nameLisa
Lisa was the number one name for American girls in the 1960s. It is a short form of Elizabeth.
- Girl's name
- Hebrew
- Feast day
Meaning
Lisa comes from Elisabeth, Hebrew for "my God is an oath" or "my God is abundance".
Origin
Hebrew, through German and English.
History
Lisa was in the American top 10 from 1959 to 1976, and was the most given girl's name from 1962. The Mona Lisa, Lisa Gherardini, is its most famous portrait.
Lisa in other languages
Lisa is a short form of Elizabeth in Italian, German and the Nordic countries. It is Liza in Russian and English, and Lise in French and Danish. The Mona Lisa takes its name from its model, Lisa Gherardini.
Did you know?
- The Mona Lisa, portrait of Lisa Gherardini, was stolen from the Louvre in 1911 and only found in Florence in 1913.
Famous people named Lisa
- Lisa Kudrow, actress
- Lisa Simpson, character in The Simpsons
- Lisa Marie Presley, singer
- Lisa Gherardini, the Mona Lisa
Popularity of the name Lisa
Lisa in the United States
Lisa was most popular in the United States in the 1960s, with 498,275 births over the decade, 51% of all recorded babies named Lisa. Its rise began around 1955, and it peaked in 1965. Half of all babies named Lisa in the United States were born before 1967, so it is mostly a parents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 272 births a year on average, against 322 in the five years before.
Lisa in the United Kingdom
Lisa was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2000s, with 1,996 births over the decade, 47% of all recorded babies named Lisa. Half of all babies named Lisa in the United Kingdom were born before 2002. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 49 births a year.
Lisa in Ireland
Lisa in France
Lisa in Belgium
Lisa in Switzerland
Lisa in Austria
Lisa in Norway
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Lisa
Names from the same generation as Lisa, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Lisa? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Lisa with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Lisa side by side with the name of your choice.
Lisa in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Lisa mean?
Lisa comes from Elisabeth, Hebrew for "my God is an oath" or "my God is abundance".
What is the origin of the name Lisa?
Hebrew, through German and English.
Is Lisa a girl's or a boy's name?
Lisa is a girl's name.
How popular is the name Lisa?
In 2024, Lisa was the 984th most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 262 births.
What are the variants of the name Lisa?
Variants and related names of Lisa include Elisabeth and Lesia.
What are good sibling names for Lisa?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Sharon, Hanna, Jenny and Renee for a sister, Jon, Jimmy, Jakob and Ruben for a brother.
Who are famous people named Lisa?
Lisa Kudrow, actress; Lisa Simpson, character in The Simpsons; Lisa Marie Presley, singer; Lisa Gherardini, the Mona Lisa.