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Talissa

♀ Girl

How to Pronounce Talissa

Pronounced tuh-LIS-uh /təˈlɪs.ə/High

Meaning: Talissa is a coined name that reads as a Ta- form of Talisa, or a reshaping of Melissa with a Ta- opening. Melissa comes from the Greek word for a honeybee and, in myth, a nymph who nursed the infant Zeus on honey. Through that link Talissa inherits the sweet honeybee sense, filtered through the -lissa ending it shares with Melissa and Alyssa.Low

In 30 seconds: Talissa is a coined name blending a Ta- prefix with Talisa or Melissa, 'honeybee' in Greek. It saw light use, peaking around 1990 (said tuh-LIS-uh).

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Origin LowGreek, American

MeaningTalissa is a coined name that reads as a Ta- form of Talisa, or a reshaping of Melissa with a Ta- opening. Melissa comes from the Greek word for a honeybee and, in myth, a nymph who nursed the infant Zeus on honey. Through that link Talissa inherits the sweet honeybee sense, filtered through the -lissa ending it shares with Melissa and Alyssa.

U.S. rank (2017)#18170 ↘ Falling

2017 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1990

Total births (all-time)≈ 406

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

Talissa belongs to the family of -issa and -lissa names, alongside Melissa, Alyssa, and Talisa, that were fashionable in the late twentieth century. It reads as a coined blend, adding a Ta- opening to the familiar -lissa sound. The nearest traditional anchor is Melissa, from the Greek for a honeybee, a name with roots in classical myth. Talissa personalizes that sound into a fresh, softer variant.

Talissa stayed uncommon throughout its span, with only a few dozen girls a year receiving it around a gentle high point near 1990. A girl named Talissa then would be in her mid-thirties today. As a coinage it has no ancient pedigree of its own, but it draws a real meaning from the Melissa family and reads as a smooth, melodic modern choice rather than a spelling error.

Did you know? The -lissa ending ties Talissa to Melissa, whose Greek root means 'honeybee', so this modern coinage keeps a faint taste of honey in its meaning.

Overall data confidence 45%

References - Talissa / Melissa — -lissa coinage; Melissa from Greek 'honeybee'

Variations

TalisaTalyssaTelissaTalissia

Nicknames

TalliLissa

Famous Bearers

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If you like Talissa…

Talisa— the closest sister name, same sound with one fewer letter

Melissa— the 'honeybee' name that anchors the -lissa ending

Alyssa— a same-era -lyssa name with matching rhythm

Clarissa— another soft -issa name of similar texture

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Talissa mean?

Talissa is a coined name blending a Ta- prefix with Talisa or Melissa, which means 'honeybee' in Greek.

How do you pronounce Talissa?

It is said tuh-LIS-uh /təˈlɪs.ə/ - three syllables, stress on the middle.

Is Talissa a boy or girl name?

Talissa is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Talissa?

Talissa has always been uncommon, a soft modern coinage most seen around the turn of the nineties.