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Monalisa

♀ Girl

Pronounced moh-nuh-LEE-suh /ˌmoʊ.nəˈliː.sə/High

Meaning: Monalisa is taken from Leonardo da Vinci's painting the Mona Lisa; in Italian, mona is a contraction of madonna, 'my lady; madam', so the title reads 'Madam Lisa'. Used as a given name, above all in Italy, India, and Brazil, chiefly for the painting's fame, which we note honestly.Medium

In 30 seconds: Named for the painting: Monalisa means 'Madam Lisa' in Italian (said 'moh-nuh-LEE-suh'). We note the reference honestly.

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Origin MediumItalian

MeaningMonalisa is taken from Leonardo da Vinci's painting the Mona Lisa; in Italian, mona is a contraction of madonna, 'my lady; madam', so the title reads 'Madam Lisa'. Used as a given name, above all in Italy, India, and Brazil, chiefly for the painting's fame, which we note honestly.

U.S. rank (2024)#12998 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births7 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1965

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,116

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

Monalisa comes from the world's most famous painting, Leonardo da Vinci's portrait begun around 1503. Its title is Italian for 'Madam Lisa' — mona being a contraction of madonna. As a given name it took hold in Italy, India, and Brazil, borrowed for the painting's aura rather than any older naming line, which we note honestly (said 'moh-nuh-LEE-suh').

It appears only rarely for girls in the U.S. Rare, artful, and instantly recognisable.

Did you know? Mona Lisa is not a first name and surname — mona is short for madonna, 'my lady'. The title simply means 'Madam Lisa', after Lisa del Giocondo, the merchant's wife believed to be the sitter (said 'moh-nuh-LEE-suh').

Overall data confidence 55%

References — Monalisa — Italian mona (madonna) + Lisa; da Vinci painting; given-name use in Italy, India, Brazil

Variations

Mona LisaMonalizaMonalissa

Nicknames

MonaLisa

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Monalisa…

Mona— the first half, a name in its own right

Lisa— the second half, a classic

Annalisa— a like Italian compound

Eloisa— shares the -sa ending

Marisa— lands in the same popularity range

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Monalisa mean?

Monalisa is Italian for 'Madam Lisa' — mona is short for madonna, 'my lady'. It comes from Leonardo's painting, which we note honestly.

How do you pronounce Monalisa?

It's said moh-nuh-LEE-suh /ˌmoʊ.nəˈliː.sə/ — four syllables, stress on the third.

Is Monalisa a boy or girl name?

Monalisa is a girl's name.

How popular is Monalisa?

Monalisa is a very rare name for girls in the U.S.