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Home › Baby Names Directory › Corliss

Corliss

♀ Girl

Pronounced KOR-liss /ˈkɔːr.lɪs/Medium

Meaning: Corliss is from an English surname derived from Old English careleas, 'carefree; cheerful; without a care'. Its mid-century girls' use was boosted by the wholesome teenage character Corliss Archer in the play and film Kiss and Tell.Medium

In 30 seconds: A cheerful surname-name: Corliss means 'carefree' at root (said 'KOR-liss'), and starred in Kiss and Tell.
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Origin MediumEnglish
MeaningCorliss is from an English surname derived from Old English careleas, 'carefree; cheerful; without a care'. Its mid-century girls' use was boosted by the wholesome teenage character Corliss Archer in the play and film Kiss and Tell.
U.S. rank (2003)#16314 ↘ Falling
2003 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1946
Total births (all-time)≈ 2,849

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 194619192003

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

Corliss comes from an English surname meaning 'carefree; cheerful'. As a girls' given name it was lifted by the popular character Corliss Archer, a wholesome teenager on stage, screen, and radio, cresting around 1946. It faded as that pop-culture moment passed.

Uncommon now, it reads as a bright surname-name of its era. Cheerful and distinctive.

Did you know? Corliss — from an Old English word for 'carefree' — charmed audiences as the teenage Corliss Archer of Kiss and Tell, with its peak around 1946.
Overall data confidence 60%
References — Corliss — English surname 'carefree'; character Corliss Archer

Variations

CorlessCorlisCorlise

Nicknames

CoriLiss

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Corliss…

Corinne— a like Cor- girl's name
Katniss— a similarly popular pick
Cypress— a fellow English choice
Carrie— lands in the same popularity range
Connie— the same vintage feel

Explore names like Corliss

By themevintagesurnamepop-culture1940s

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Corliss mean?

Corliss is from an English surname derived from an Old English word meaning 'carefree' or 'cheerful'.

How do you pronounce Corliss?

It's said KOR-liss /ˈkɔːr.lɪs/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Corliss a boy or girl name?

Corliss is used here as a girl's name.

Is Corliss making a comeback?

Corliss is uncommon today and reads as a cheerful mid-century surname-name rather than a current trend.

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