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Claressa

♀ Girl

How to Pronounce Claressa

Pronounced kluh-RES-uh /kləˈrɛs.ə/Medium

Meaning: Claressa is a respelled elaboration of Clarissa, from the Latin clarus, 'clear, bright, famous,' the same root behind Clara and Clare.Medium

In 30 seconds: Claressa respells Clarissa, from the Latin clarus, 'clear, bright, famous.' It has stayed a rare American choice, peaking around 1983 (said kluh-RES-uh).

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Origin MediumLatin, American

MeaningClaressa is a respelled elaboration of Clarissa, from the Latin clarus, 'clear, bright, famous,' the same root behind Clara and Clare.

U.S. rank (2005)#11116 ↘ Falling

2005 U.S. births9 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1983

Total births (all-time)≈ 418

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

Claressa reshapes Clarissa, from the Latin clarus, 'clear, bright, famous.' It follows a long tradition of respelling established Latin-rooted names to give them a fresh, distinctly American look.

It has stayed uncommon, given to about eighteen girls a year even at its peak around 1983, with the name still appearing in small numbers into the 2000s. A woman named Claressa at peak would be in her early forties today.

Did you know? Boxer Claressa Shields, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, is the name's best-known modern bearer, sharing its root with Clara and Clarissa.

Overall data confidence 65%

References - Claressa — Respelling of Clarissa; Latin clarus root well documented

Variations

ClarissaClarisaClara

Nicknames

ClareRessa

Famous Bearers

★Claressa Shields (1995-present)
American professional boxer, two-time Olympic gold medalist in women's middleweight boxing.

If you like Claressa…

Clarissa— the standard spelling of the same name

Clarisa— another common respelling of the same root

Clara— the short root name behind 'clear, bright'

Claretta— a like -etta elaboration on the same Clar- root

Explore names like Claressa

By themevintage latin bright

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Claressa mean?

It reshapes Clarissa, from the Latin clarus, meaning 'clear, bright, famous.'

How do you pronounce Claressa?

It is said kluh-RES-uh /kləˈrɛs.ə/, three syllables with the stress in the middle.

Is Claressa a boy or girl name?

Claressa is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Claressa?

It has always been uncommon in the U.S., given to about eighteen girls a year even at its peak around 1983.