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Caryssa

♀ Girl

Pronounced kuh-RIS-uh /kəˈrɪs.ə/Low

Meaning: Caryssa is a spelling of Carissa, a name usually traced to Latin carus, 'dear' or 'beloved,' and sometimes to Greek charis, 'grace.' The y and doubled s give the graceful name a fresher look while keeping its warm meaning of one who is cherished.Low

In 30 seconds: Caryssa is a variant of Carissa, from Latin for 'dear' or 'beloved.' It was never common and peaked in the late nineteen-nineties (said kuh-RIS-uh).

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Origin LowLatin, Greek

MeaningCaryssa is a spelling of Carissa, a name usually traced to Latin carus, 'dear' or 'beloved,' and sometimes to Greek charis, 'grace.' The y and doubled s give the graceful name a fresher look while keeping its warm meaning of one who is cherished.

U.S. rank (2012)#17397 ↘ Falling

2012 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1999

Total births (all-time)≈ 198

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Caryssa is a decorative spelling of Carissa, a name generally derived from Latin carus, 'dear' or 'beloved,' with a possible echo of Greek charis, 'grace.' It belongs to the family of soft, romantic girls' names that flourished in the later twentieth century, and the y spelling reflects the era's taste for individual variants.

The spelling was always rare, given to only about a dozen and a half girls a year at its peak around 1999, and it stayed uncommon. A girl named Caryssa then is in her mid-twenties today.

Did you know? Carissa, the name behind Caryssa, comes from the same Latin root as 'caress' and 'charity,' all tied to the idea of what is dear and beloved.

Overall data confidence 35%

References - Caryssa — Variant of Carissa (Latin carus, 'dear/beloved'; possibly Greek charis, 'grace')

Variations

CarissaCharissaKarissa

Nicknames

CarrieRissaCary

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Caryssa…

Carissa— the standard name Caryssa respells

Charissa— a like 'grace' rooted variant

Clarissa— shares the soft -issa ending

Marissa— another popular -issa girl's name

Explore names like Caryssa

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Caryssa mean?

It is a variant of Carissa, from Latin carus meaning 'dear' or 'beloved.'

How do you pronounce Caryssa?

It is said kuh-RIS-uh /kəˈrɪs.ə/, three syllables stressed in the middle.

Is Caryssa a boy or girl name?

Caryssa is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Caryssa?

It has always been rare in the United States, given to only a small number of girls a year at its peak in the late nineteen-nineties.