"pledged to God, my God is an oath"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Lisa
Pronunciation: [ l-EES-uh ]
Does Lisa flow with your last name?
The name that ruled America for a generation
English
German
Italian
American
Classic
Vintage
Gentle
Sophisticated
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"my God is abundance"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
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The Story of Lisa
Lisa is a short form of Elisabeth, itself derived from the Hebrew Elisheba, meaning God is my oath or my God is abundance. The name traveled through Greek as Elisavet, Latin as Elisabeth, and Italian as Lisa before becoming a standalone name in the mid-20th century. Leonardo da Vinci immortalized it when he painted La Gioconda, known worldwide as the Mona Lisa, around 1503-1519.
Lisa dominated American baby name charts from the mid-1950s through the 1970s, holding the #1 spot for years. Its rise was fueled by postwar Americana, the name's melodic simplicity, and pop culture figures like Lisa Marie Presley.
In Italy, Lisa is closely associated with Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa, making it a name with Renaissance artistic prestige. In the US, it represents the baby boomer generation so strongly that Lisa has become a cultural shorthand for that era.
Historical Record
Lisa first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 963,464 babies have been named Lisa in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Lisa is past its peak , currently ranked #987 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Lisa was the #1 baby name in the US for 8 years straight (1962-1969)
- The Mona Lisa's real name was likely Lisa Gherardini
- Lisa Simpson helped keep the name recognizable for younger generations
Lisa in Other Languages
French
Lisa
German
Lisa
Italian
Lisa
Russian
Лиза
Spanish
Lisa
Popularity Over Time
#987
Current Rank
Peaked 1962
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Lisa
L
Lisa Manoban (LISA)
Musician
1997
Thai rapper and dancer, member of K-pop group BLACKPINK
L
Lisa Marie Presley
Musician
1968
American singer-songwriter and daughter of Elvis Presley
L
Lisa Kudrow
Actor
1963
American actress known for playing Phoebe Buffay on Friends
L
Lisa Simpson Fictional
Other
Precocious saxophone-playing daughter on The Simpsons, symbol of intelligence and idealism
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Compare Lisa with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #987
- Total SSA Count
- 262
- Cultural Origins
- English German Italian American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Lis
Lee
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Lisa
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Lisa is also used as a boy name, ranked #16541.
View Lisa as a boy name →Similar Names
See all names like Lisa →Compare Lisa with...
Same Origin Names (English)
See all English names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Lisa
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Latin/Welsh origin
"pearl of the water"
#1,185 in US
Lailah
Girl
Hebrew origin
"night angel"
#1,116 in US
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Spanish origin
"stone of the side"
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"bright, shining light"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Lisa
What does the name Lisa mean?
"pledged to God, my God is an oath" (from Hebrew). "my God is abundance" (from Hebrew). Lisa is a short form of Elisabeth, itself derived from the Hebrew Elisheba, meaning God is my oath or my God is abundance. The name traveled through Greek as Elisavet, Latin as Elisabeth, and Italian as Lisa before becoming a standalone name in the mid-20th century. Leonardo da Vinci immortalized it when he painted La Gioconda, known worldwide as the Mona Lisa, around 1503-1519.
What is the origin of the name Lisa?
Lisa has Hebrew, English, German, Italian, and American origins. In Hebrew, it means "pledged to God, my God is an oath". In Hebrew, it means "my God is abundance".
Is Lisa a boy or girl name?
Lisa is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #987. As a boy name, it is ranked #16541. Lisa is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Lisa?
Lisa is pronounced l-EES-uh.
How popular is the name Lisa?
Lisa is currently ranked #987 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Lisa?
Common nicknames for Lisa include Lis and Lee.
What are good middle names for Lisa?
Popular middle name pairings include Lisa Marie, Lisa Ann, Lisa Grace, Lisa Nicole, Lisa Renee, Lisa Claire, and Lisa Kate.
What are good sibling names for Lisa?
Names that pair well with Lisa as siblings include Jennifer, Karen, Michael, David, Amy, Sandra, and Mark.
How many syllables does Lisa have?
Lisa has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Lisa a common or rare name?
Lisa is moderately common, ranked #987 for girls in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
What girl names are similar to Lisa?
About the Name Lisa
Lisa is a girl name with English, German, Italian, and American origins . The name means "pledged to God, my God is an oath" in Hebrew .
Is Lisa a boy or girl name? Lisa is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #987 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #16,541. Lisa is more commonly used as a girl name.
Lisa is currently ranked #987 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Lisa has 2 syllables and is pronounced l-EES-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Lisa include Lis and Lee. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Lisa include Lisbeth, Lisette . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis