Elisa

♀ Girl

Pronounced eh-LEE-sah /ɛˈliː.sə/High

Meaning: Short form of Elisabeth/Elizabeth, from Hebrew 'Elisheba' composed of 'el' (God) and 'shava' (oath, promise), meaning 'my God is an oath' or 'pledged to God'High

In 30 seconds: Elisa is a sleek, three-syllable form of Elisabeth used throughout Italy, Spain, and Latin America. It keeps the biblical depth of Elizabeth while feeling lighter and more modern.

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Origin HighHebrew, Italian, Spanish

MeaningShort form of Elisabeth/Elizabeth, from Hebrew 'Elisheba' composed of 'el' (God) and 'shava' (oath, promise), meaning 'my God is an oath' or 'pledged to God'

U.S. rank (2025)#458 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births674 girls (0.04% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2012

Total births (all-time)≈ 47,653

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Elisa is a short form of Elisabeth, the Latin form of the Hebrew Elisheba, meaning 'my God is an oath.' The name was borne by several biblical figures, most notably the mother of John the Baptist. Elisabeth became one of the most popular names in Christian Europe, and Elisa developed as a shorter Romance-language variant.

Elisa has been widely used in Italy, Spain, and Latin America for centuries. In the United States it has a modest but steady presence, particularly in Hispanic communities. The name offers the dignity of the Elizabeth family without the formality, and its three-syllable flow feels both classic and contemporary.

Did you know? Elisa is also the name of the silent protagonist in Guillermo del Toro's 2017 Oscar-winning film The Shape of Water — a mute woman who forms a bond with an amphibious creature — bringing new cinematic resonance to this classic name.

Overall data confidence 95%

Behind the Name — Elisa — etymology and historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

ElizabethElisabethEliseEliza

Nicknames

EliLisaLise

Famous Bearers

★Elisa (fictional character)
Protagonist of Guillermo del Toro's 2017 film The Shape of Water

If you like Elisa…

Elise— shares the El- root and the same elegant shortened-Elizabeth quality

Eliza— the English short form of the same Elizabeth lineage

Elena— shares the warm Mediterranean feel and the three-syllable El- structure

Alisa— very similar sound and the same gentle, flowing quality

Frequently Asked

What does Elisa mean?

Elisa means 'my God is an oath' or 'pledged to God.' It is a short form of Elisabeth, from Hebrew Elisheba.

How do you pronounce Elisa?

Elisa is pronounced eh-LEE-sah /ɛˈliː.sə/ — three syllables with stress on the second.

Is Elisa different from Elise?

They are related variants of Elisabeth. Elisa ends in -a and is more common in Italian and Spanish contexts; Elise ends in -e and is more French and German in origin.

Is Elisa a popular girls' name?

Elisa has been a steady presence in the U.S. and is very popular in Italy, Spain, and Latin America as a classic, elegant form of Elisabeth.