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Home › Baby Names Directory › Risa

Risa

♀ Girl

Pronounced REE-sah /ˈri.sə/High

Meaning: From Spanish risa, 'laughter; a laugh'; also a Japanese name (the sense depends on the characters) and a short form of Marisa; routes layeredLow

In 30 seconds: Laughter: Risa is Spanish (also Japanese). Crisp, joyful, and warm.
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Origin LowSpanish, Japanese
MeaningFrom Spanish risa, 'laughter; a laugh'; also a Japanese name (the sense depends on the characters) and a short form of Marisa; routes layered
U.S. rank (2025)#5675 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births22 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1962
Total births (all-time)≈ 4,177

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 196219422025

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

Risa comes from Spanish risa, 'laughter; a laugh'; it is also a Japanese name (the sense depends on the characters) and a short form of Marisa (routes layered, which we note). A crisp, joyful name (said 'REE-sah').

In the U.S. it appears across Hispanic and Japanese families. Rare, laughter at the root, and joyful.

Did you know? Risa means 'laughter; a laugh' in Spanish — and is also a Japanese name and a short form of Marisa — a crisp, joyful name (the routes are layered, which we note; said 'REE-sah').
Overall data confidence 40%
References — Risa — routes layered

Variations

RissaMarisaReesa

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

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If you like Risa…

Marisa— a name it shortens
Larisa— a sound-neighbor -risa girls' name
Elisa— another -isa girls' name
Rosa— another Spanish name
Brisa— shares the -sa ending

Explore names like Risa

By themeuncertainspanishjapanese

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Risa mean?

Risa is Spanish for 'laughter; a laugh'; also a Japanese name and a short form of Marisa; the routes are layered.

How do you pronounce Risa?

It's said REE-sah /ˈri.sə/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Risa a boy or girl name?

Risa is a girl's name.

How popular is Risa?

Risa is a rare name in the U.S.

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