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Cherissa

♀ Girl

Pronounced shuh-RIS-uh /ʃəˈrɪs.ə/Low

Meaning: Cherissa is best read as an elaboration of Charissa, from the Greek charis, 'grace,' blended with the French cherie, 'dear one.' The result is a modern name that carries a sense of grace and endearment.Low

In 30 seconds: Cherissa is an elaboration of Charissa, from the Greek charis, 'grace,' or a blend with Cherie. It appears thinly in US records around 1980 (said shuh-RIS-uh).

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Origin LowGreek, American

MeaningCherissa is best read as an elaboration of Charissa, from the Greek charis, 'grace,' blended with the French cherie, 'dear one.' The result is a modern name that carries a sense of grace and endearment.

U.S. rank (2002)#15946 ↘ Falling

2002 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1980

Total births (all-time)≈ 161

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

Cherissa draws on Charissa, from the Greek charis, 'grace,' with a nod to the French cherie, 'dear.' Whether taken as an elaboration or a blend, it reads as a graceful, affectionate modern name.

It was never common, given to only about fifteen girls a year at its peak around 1980. A girl named Cherissa then would be an adult now, her name a soft coinage of that era.

Did you know? The soft Cher- opening of Cheryl and Cherie met the -issa ending of Clarissa and Marissa in late-century naming, and Cherissa sits neatly at that crossing.

Overall data confidence 35%

References - Cherissa — Elaboration of Charissa (Greek charis 'grace') / Cherie blend; two honest routes; plain-Latin only.

Variations

CharissaCherisaCheriseCharisaCherica

Nicknames

CherRissaCheri

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Cherissa…

Charissa— the grace-rooted base of this name

Clarissa— a same-ending girl's name

Marissa— another -issa name of the era

Cherise— a close Cher- cousin

Explore names like Cherissa

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Cherissa mean?

It is an elaboration of Charissa, from the Greek charis meaning 'grace,' with a nod to the French cherie, 'dear.'

How do you pronounce Cherissa?

It is said shuh-RIS-uh /ʃəˈrɪs.ə/ - three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Cherissa a boy or girl name?

Cherissa is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Cherissa?

It was always rare in the United States, given to only about fifteen girls a year even at its peak around the nineteen-eighties.