Girl
Greek
3 syllables
Larissa
lah-RIS-ah
/ləˈrɪsə/
"The cheerful one" — a name of ancient grace, joyful spirit, and lyrical beauty
Larissa is a name steeped in the mythology and geography of ancient Greece—Larissa is one of the oldest cities in Thessaly, and the name appears in Greek myth as a nymph who was a daughter of Pelasgus. Its meaning of 'cheerful' or 'citadel' gives it a dual character: playful warmth balanced with enduring strength. The name was popular in the United States in the late 1980s and early 1990s and remains beloved in Russia and Latin America, where it has a flowing, musical quality.
Quick Facts
Letters7
SyllablesLa · ris · sa
GenderGirl
OriginGreek
Root WordLarissos
MeaningCheerful, citadel
PopularityCommon
Peak Year1992
Trend
→ Stable
Name DayMarch 26
Nicknames
LaraLariRissaLiss
About the Name Larissa
Larissa means 'cheerful' in Greek and is also linked to the ancient city of Larissa in Thessaly, whose name may come from the Pelasgian word for 'citadel' or 'fortress.' In Greek mythology, Larissa was a nymph, daughter of Pelasgus, giving the name a connection to grace and natural beauty.
Larissa (spelled Larisa in Russian, Лариса) is very popular in Russia and other Slavic countries, where it has been a beloved given name for over a century. While originally Greek, the name was embraced enthusiastically in the Soviet era and remains a classic in Russian-speaking cultures today.
Larissas are often described as warm, joyful, and socially gifted. True to its meaning of 'cheerful,' the name is associated with a bright, expressive personality and a talent for lifting the spirits of those around them. Larissas tend to be creative, empathetic, and lively companions.
In the United States, Larissa peaked in the early 1990s when it briefly entered the top 200 names. It has since declined in the US but remains popular in Russia, Eastern Europe, and Latin America. Globally it is a well-recognized name with a warm, international feel.
Larissa's three flowing syllables pair beautifully with short, punchy middle names. Great combinations include Larissa Rose, Larissa Grace, Larissa Ann, Larissa Joy, and Larissa Faye. For a more elaborate pairing, Larissa Celeste or Larissa Renée work wonderfully.
Larissa originates from ancient Greece, both as the name of one of Thessaly's oldest and most important cities and as the name of a mythological nymph. The city's name likely derives from a pre-Greek Pelasgian word meaning citadel. The name was carried into Russian culture and the broader Slavic world, where it became independently beloved.
Personality of Larissa
Perceived character traits commonly associated with people named Larissa
Creativity
82%
Elegance
85%
Independence
74%
Intelligence
80%
Strength
70%
Warmth
88%
Famous People Named Larissa
L
Larissa Latynina
Soviet gymnast, nine-time Olympic gold medalist
L
Larissa Riquelme
Paraguayan model and actress
L
Larissa Oleynik
American actress known for 10 Things I Hate About You
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Larissa (moon of Neptune)
One of Neptune's moons, named after the Greek nymph
Middle Names for Larissa
Beautiful combinations that flow well with Larissa
Larissa Rose
Larissa Marie
Larissa Grace
Larissa Elise
Larissa Belle
Larissa Dawn
Larissa Faye
Larissa Ann
Larissa Celeste
Larissa Joy
Larissa Renee
Larissa Claire
Names Similar to Larissa
Similar Sound
Similar Meaning
Sibling Name Ideas
History of Larissa
600 BC
Larissa, one of the oldest cities of Thessaly, is established in ancient Greece
300 BC
The nymph Larissa appears in Greek mythology as daughter of Pelasgus
1989
Larissa enters the US top 200 baby names for the first time
1991
Neptune's moon Larissa is officially named by the IAU
1992
Larissa peaks in US popularity before gradually declining
Numerology & Symbolism of Larissa
7
Destiny Number
Sum of all letters
2
Soul Urge
Sum of vowels
♍
Zodiac Affinity
Cancer
5
Lucky Number
Personal power digit
🎨
Lucky Color
Lavender
💎
Lucky Stone
Amethyst
🌸
Lucky Flower
Hyacinth
Larissa Around the World
How Larissa is written in different languages and scripts
لاريسا
Arabic
ラリッサ
Japanese
Лариса
Russian
라리사
Korean
拉丽莎
Chinese
Λάρισσα
Greek
लारिसा
Hindi
לריסה
Hebrew
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