Alyssa is a feminine

given name A given name (also known as a forename or first name) is the part of a personal name quoted in that identifies a person, potentially with a middle name as well, and differentiates that person from the other members of a group (typically a f ...

with multiple origins. Alysa is an alternative spelling. As used in Western countries, the name is usually derived from the name of the flower

alyssum ''Alyssum'' is a genus of over a hundred species of flowering plants in the family Brassicaceae, native to Europe, Asia, and northern Africa, with the highest species diversity in the Mediterranean region. The genus comprises annual plant, annu ...

. The name of the flower derives from the

Greek Greek may refer to: Anything of, from, or related to Greece, a country in Southern Europe: *Greeks, an ethnic group *Greek language, a branch of the Indo-European language family **Proto-Greek language, the assumed last common ancestor of all kno ...

ἀ- ''a-'' ("not") and λύσσα ''

lyssa Lyssa ( ; ), also called Lytta (; ) by the Athenians, is a minor goddess in Greek mythology, the spirit of rage, fury, and rabies in animals. She was closely related to the Maniae, the spirits of madness and insanity. Her Roman equivalent was ...

'' ("mania, rabies"); the flower was formerly thought to cure skin diseases. It shares many variants in common with the name

Alice Alice may refer to: * Alice (name), most often a feminine given name, but also used as a surname Literature * Alice (''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland''), a character in books by Lewis Carroll * ''Alice'' series, children's and teen books by ...

and is occasionally considered a form of that name as well. Other equivalents of Alice include Alisa and Alissa. Elissa (

Arabic Arabic (, , or , ) is a Central Semitic languages, Central Semitic language of the Afroasiatic languages, Afroasiatic language family spoken primarily in the Arab world. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) assigns lang ...

: اليسار /

ALA-LC ALA-LC (American Library AssociationLibrary of Congress) is a set of standards for romanization, the representation of text in other writing systems using the Latin script. Applications The system is used to represent bibliographic information by ...

: ''Alīssār''; اليسا / ''Alīssā''; عليسا ''‘Alīssā''; عليسة / ''‘Alīssah'') are variations of the name of Queen Elissa, the founder of

Carthage Carthage was an ancient city in Northern Africa, on the eastern side of the Lake of Tunis in what is now Tunisia. Carthage was one of the most important trading hubs of the Ancient Mediterranean and one of the most affluent cities of the classic ...

, used in Middle Eastern countries. The name has been popular in the United States, where it ranked among the top 20 names between 2000 and 2009. The name's popularity declined steadily throughout the next decade, and by 2020 its rank had fallen to 199.

Notables with the name Alyssa

* Alyssa A. Goodman (born 1962), American astronomer, scientist, and college professor *

Alyssa Adams Alyssa Adams () is the co-founder of the Eddie Adams Workshop, author, editor and a photo editor of ''TV Guide.'' Career Alyssa Adams is the co-founder and executive director of the Eddie Adams Workshop. She and her husband, photographer Eddie ...

, American editor and graphic designer *

Alyssa Alano Alyssa Alano (born Geramie Daud; 11 August 1987) is a Philippine film and TV actress. She was a former member of the popular Viva Hot Babes franchise. Biography Although she grew up in Tarlac, she was born Geramie Daud in Zamboanga City on 1 ...

(born 1987), Philippine-Australian film and television actress and host *Alyssa Alhadeff (2003–2018), one of the 17 victims who was killed in the

Stoneman Douglas High School shooting On February 14, 2018, a mass shooting occurred when 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz opened fire on students and staff at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, part of the Miami metropolitan area, Parkland, Florida, killing 17 people and injuring 18 ot ...

Alyssa Anderson Alyssa Jean Anderson (born September 30, 1990) is an American competition swimming (sport), swimmer and Olympic gold medalist who represented the United States at the 2012 Summer Olympics. Personal Anderson was born in Santa Clara, California, ...

(born 1990), American competition swimmer *

Alyssa Ashley Nichols Indigo (born Alyssa Ashley Nichols, June 25, 1984, Los Angeles) is an American actress and DJ. She is best known for her roles as Rona, one of the vampire slayer potentials, in the final season of the TV series ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer'', and ...

(born 1984), birth name of American actress Indigo *

Alyssa Ayres Alyssa Ayres is the Dean of The George Washington University's Elliott School of International Affairs, the first woman to hold the post. She was also a Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations for India, Pakistan, and Southeast Asia fr ...

, American college dean * Alyssa Baldin (born 1990), Canadian elite ice hockey player * Alyssa Bannan (born 2002), Australian rules footballer *

Alyssa Barlow BarlowGirl was an American Christian rock and Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) all-female band from Elgin, Illinois. The band was composed of sisters Alyssa (lead vocals, bass guitar, keyboards), Lauren (co-lead vocals, drums) and Rebecca (g ...

, former member of American Christian rock and CCM band BarlowGirl *

Alyssa Baumann Alyssa Lyn Baumann (born May 17, 1998) is a retired American artistic gymnast, and has competed for the United States at international events as well as for University of Florida team. Baumann is the 2014 and 2015 United States silver medalist ...

(born 1998), American gymnast *

Alyssa Beckerman Alyssa Erin Beckerman (born January 23, 1981) is an American former gymnast and balance beam national champion. She was a member of the United States national team from 1997 to 2000, and competed on the University of California, Los Angeles inte ...

(born 1981), American gymnast *

Alyssa Boey Alyssa Chia Pheng Boey (born 10 August 1996 in Petaling Jaya) is a Malaysian tennis player. Boey made her WTA tour debut at the 2014 Malaysian Open, having received a wildcard with Yang Zi into the doubles tournament. Playing for Malaysia at ...

(born 1996), Malaysian tennis player *

Alyssa Bonagura Alyssa Bonagura (born April 1, 1988) is an American singer-songwriter. Early life and career Alyssa Bonagura is from Franklin, Tennessee. She is the daughter of singers Michael Bonagura and Kathie Baillie of Baillie & the Boys. She has been sin ...

(born 1988), American singer-songwriter *

Alyssa Brown Alyssa Brown (born 11 May 1989) is a Canadian artistic gymnast. Brown competed at the 2006 Commonwealth Games The 2006 Commonwealth Games, officially the XVIII Commonwealth Games and commonly known as Melbourne 2006, were an Internation ...

(born 1989), Canadian artistic gymnast *

Alyssa Brugman Alyssa Brugman (born May 1974) is an Australian author of fiction for young adults. She was born in Rathmines, a suburb of Lake Macquarie, Australia and attended five public schools before completing a Marketing Degree at the University of Ne ...

(born 1974), Australian writer and novelist *

Alyssa Budhoo Alyssa Budhoo (born 9 December 1991) is a Canadian–Guyanese former footballer who played as a midfielder. She has been a member of the Guyana women's national team. College career Budhoo attended the Sheridan College in Ontario Ontario i ...

(born 1991), Canadian-Guyanese footballer *

Alyssa Bull Alyssa Bull (born 1 December 1995) is an Australian canoeist. She represented Australia in three Olympic Games, 2016, 2020 and 2024. Early years At the age of 16 Bull started ski paddling for surf lifesaving. In 2012 she was the Under 17 Aust ...

(born 1995), Australian canoeist *

Alyssa Bustamante Alyssa is a feminine given name with multiple origins. Alysa is an alternative spelling. As used in Western countries, the name is usually derived from the name of the flower alyssum. The name of the flower derives from the Greek ἀ- ''a-'' ( ...

(born 1994), American murderer *

Alyssa Campanella Alyssa Marie Campanella (born March 21, 1990) is an American beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss USA 2011. Having previously been crowned Miss California USA 2011. Campanella was also crowned Miss New Jersey Teen USA 2007 and was firs ...

(born 1990), American beauty queen *

Alyssa Carson Alyssa Carson (born March 10, 2001) is an American social media influencer and space enthusiast known for her ambition from a young age to be the first person on Mars. She has attended numerous space camps and has visited every NASA visitor cent ...

(born 2001), American space enthusiast *

Alyssa Cecere Alyssa Cecere (born 4 September 4, 1987) is a Canadian ice hockey coach and player. She is head coach of the McGill Martlets ice hockey program in the Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec (RSEQ) of U Sports. Playing career Known as Chech, sh ...

(born 1987), Canadian professional ice hockey player *

Alyssa Chia Alyssa Chia Ching-wen (; born 7 October 1974) is a Taiwanese actress and television host. She is known for her roles in television series such as the period dramas '' The Prince of Han Dynasty'' (2001), ''The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber'' (2002 ...

(born 1974), Taiwanese actress and television host *

Alyssa Cole Alyssa Cole (born August 12, 1982) is an American author of historical, science fiction, and contemporary romance novels. Her stories include diverse casts of characters with a variety of professions, from Civil War spies to modern day epidemiolo ...

(born 1982), American author *

Alyssa Conley Alyssa Conley (born 27 April 1991) is a South African athlete competing in sprinting events. She won the silver medal in the 200 metres at the 2016 African Championships. Conley switched to rugby in 2019. International competitions Personal ...

(born 1991), South African athlete *

Alissa Crans Alissa Susan Crans is an American mathematician specializing in higher-dimensional algebra. She is a professor of mathematics at Loyola Marymount University, and the associate director of Project NExT, a program of the Mathematical Association o ...

, American mathematician * Alyssa Cruz Aguero, Guamanian beauty pageant contestant *

Alyssa Diaz Alyssa Elaine Diaz (born September 7, 1985) is an American actress. She is known for her roles on television, such as Celia Ortega on the CBS daytime soap opera ''As the World Turns'', Jasmine on the ABC Family Channel, ABC Family series ''The N ...

(born 1985), American actress *

Alyssa Edwards Justin Dwayne Lee Johnson (born January 16, 1980), best known by the stage name Alyssa Edwards, is an American drag queen, drag performer, choreographer, and businessperson. Edwards was known for competing in drag pageantry (notably Miss Gay Amer ...

(born 1980), American drag queen *

Alyssa Farah Griffin Alyssa Farah Griffin ( Farah; ; born June 15, 1989) is an American political strategist and television personality. She was the White House director of strategic communications and Assistant to the President in 2020 during the presidency of Do ...

(born 1989), American political advisor * Alyssa Fleming (born 1994), American lacrosse player * Alyssa Gagliardi (born 1992), American ice hockey player * Alyssa Gialamas (born 1995), American Paralympic swimmer * Alyssa Giannetti (born 1994), American professional footballer *

Alyssa Graham Alyssa Graham (born Alyssa Hope Altschul) is an American singer-songwriter. In 2005, she launched her solo music career with the release of the album, ''What Love Is'', which was heralded by ''All About Jazz'' as one of the Best New Recordings of ...

, American singer-songwriter * Alyssa Hayden (born 1970), Australian politician *

Alyssa Healy Alyssa Jean Healy (born 24 March 1990) is an Australian cricketer who plays for and captains the Australian women's national team. She also plays for New South Wales in domestic cricket, as well as the Sydney Sixers in the WBBL and captains ...

(born 1990), Australian women's cricketer * Alyssa Howard, pseudonym of American writing partners Eileen Buckholtz, Ruth Glick, Carolyn Males, and Louise Titchener * Alyssa Jacey (born 1981), American singer-songwriter and former dancer * Alyssa Kleiner (born 1993), American soccer player * Alyssa Lagonia (born 1989), Canadian professional soccer player * Alyssa Lampe (born 1988), American freestyle wrestler * Alyssa LaRoche (born 1979), American entrepreneur, machinimaker, fashion designer, journalist, scenographer, and author * Alyssa Leonard, American lacrosse player * Alyssa Lim (born 1991), English badminton player *

Alyssa Manley Alyssa Manley (born May 27, 1994) is an American field hockey player. She was named to the United States woman's field hockey team for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.Won a Galway ladies football junior medal with Salthill/Knocknacarr ...

(born 1994), American field hockey player *

Alyssa Mastromonaco Alyssa Mende Mastromonaco (born February 22, 1976) is an American author, podcaster, spokeswoman, and former government official. She served as White House Deputy Chief of Staff for operations in the administration of President Barack Obama from ...

(born 1976), American spokeswoman and former government official *

Alyssa Mautz Alyssa Lee Mautz (born July 29, 1989) is an American former professional soccer forward and midfielder. She played for the Chicago Red Stars of the NWSL from 2013 to 2022, and played on loan to Australian club Perth Glory for the 2018–19 W-L ...

(born 1989), American professional soccer player * Alyssa Mayo (born 2000), American tennis player *

Alyssa McClelland Alyssa McClelland is a director, screenwriter, producer and former actress. She directed the finale episodes of acclaimed Netflix series ''Sex Education'' and was the set-up director of ''Everything Now'', also with Netflix. McClelland directed ...

(born 1981), Australian director, writer, and actress * Alyssa Mendonsa (born 1990/1991), Indian playback singer * Alyssa Micaela (born 1992), American country singer-songwriter * Alyssa Mifsud (born 1994), Australian rules footballer *

Alyssa Milano Alyssa Jayne Milano ( ; born December 19, 1972) is an American actress and activist. She has played Samantha Micelli in '' Who's the Boss?'' (1984–1992), Jennifer Mancini in '' Melrose Place'' (1997–1998), Phoebe Halliwell in '' Charmed'' ...

(born 1972), American actress, producer, singer, author, and activist *

Alyssa Miller Alyssa Elaine Miller (born July 4, 1989) is an American model. She has done print and runway work for numerous leading companies. Among her highlights are cover appearances for '' Vogue'' (Germany) and ''Elle'' (Italy), work as a featured models ...

(born 1989), American model *

Alyssa Monks Alyssa Monks (born 1977) is an American painter currently based in Brooklyn. She specializes in large oil paintings and is recognized both in the United States and Europe for her work featuring figures obscured by water, steam, and vinyl. Her not ...

(born 1977), American painter * Alyssa Murray (born 1992), American professional lacrosse player *

Alyssa Naeher Alyssa Michele Naeher ( ; born April 20, 1988) is an American professional association football, soccer player who plays as a Goalkeeper (association football), goalkeeper for Chicago Stars FC of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). Naeh ...

(born 1988), American soccer player * Alyssa Nakken (born 1990), American professional baseball coach * Alyssa Nicole Pallett (born 1985), Canadian model, actress, and businesswoman * Alyssa Oviedo (born 2000), American-born Dominican footballer * Alyssa Parker (born 1994), American field hockey player *

Alyssa Peterson Alyssa Renee Peterson (February 29, 1976 – September 15, 2003) was a United States Army soldier, with Arabic language certification, who served with C Company, 311th Military Intelligence Battalion, 101st Airborne in Iraq. Peterson graduated ...

(1976–2003), American Army soldier * Alyssa Ramsey (born 1982), American soccer player *

Alyssa Reid Alyssa Ashley Reid (born March 15, 1993) is a Canadian singer-songwriter. Her career began in 2008 on '' The Next Star''. She rose to fame in 2011, following the release of her single " Alone Again". From 2018-2020, she released music under the ...

(born 1993), Canadian singer-songwriter *

Alyssa Rosenzweig Alyssa Rosenzweig is a Programmer, software developer and Free software movement, software freedom activist known for her work on free and open-source graphics device driver, free software graphics drivers. Education Per Rosenzweig's descripti ...

, Canadian software engineer * Alyssa Saufika, member of musical group Blink Indonesia *

Alyssa Soebandono Alyssa Soebandono (born 25 December 1991) is an Indonesian actress, model and singer. She have appeared in her many soap opera, commercial, and several films' career acting. Early life Anindya Alyssa Soebandono was born on December 25, 1991, in ...

(born 1991), Indonesian actress, presenter, and singer * Alyssa Stephens (born 1998), birth name of American rapper Latto *

Alyssa Sutherland Alyssa Sutherland (born 23 September 1982) is an Australian actress. She is best known for her role as Ellie in '' Evil Dead Rise'', the fifth installment of the ''Evil Dead'' franchise. Early life Sutherland was born in Brisbane. She is of Sco ...

(born 1982), Australian actress *

Alyssa Thompson Alyssa Paola Thompson (born November 7, 2004) is an American professional association football, soccer player who plays as a Forward (association football), forward for Angel City FC of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) and the United St ...

(born 2004), American professional soccer player *

Alyssa Thomas Alyssa Thomas (born April 12, 1992) is an American professional basketball Forward (basketball), forward for the Phoenix Mercury of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). She played college basketball for the Maryland Terrapins wome ...

(born 1992), American professional basketball player * Alyssa Tirtosentono (born 2000), Dutch badminton player * Alyssa Underwood, Australian cricketer *

Alyssa Valdez Alyssa Caymo Valdez (; born June 29, 1993) is a Filipino volleyball player who currently plays for the Creamline Cool Smashers. She was a member of the collegiate varsity women's volleyball team of Ateneo de Manila University in both indoor ...

(born 1993), Filipino volleyball player * Alyssa Wohlfeiler (born 1989), American ice hockey player *

Alyssa Wong Alyssa Wong is an American writer of speculative fiction, comics, poetry, and games. They are a recipient of the Nebula Award, World Fantasy Award, and Locus Award. Wong studied fiction at North Carolina State University, graduating in 2017 wit ...

, American writer

Notables with the name Alysa

Alysa Stanton Alysa Stanton (born August 2, 1963) is an American Reform Judaism, Reform rabbi, and the first African American female rabbi. semicha, Ordained on June 6, 2009, in August 2009 she began work as a rabbi at Congregation Bayt Shalom, a small majorit ...

(born circa 1964), African-American rabbi * Alysa Liu (born 2005), American figure skater *

Alysa King Alysa King is a Canadian actress best known for her role in ''Berkshire County''. Career King was a child model and actress, she did national commercials for companies such as K-mart and Chrysler. Her parents withdrew her from professional acti ...

, Canadian actress *

Alysa Nahmias Alysa Nahmias is an American filmmaker and the founder of Ajna Films. Life Nahmias is originally from Tucson, Arizona. She holds degrees from The Gallatin School of Individualized Study at New York University and Princeton University. She is ma ...

, American director, producer, and writer

Fictional characters

*Alyssa, a character in the 2022 American-Canadian holiday film '' Christmas in Rockwell'' * Alyssa Jones, from the

View Askewniverse The View Askewniverse is a fictional universe created by writer/director Kevin Smith, featured in several films, comics and a television series; it is named for Smith's production company, View Askew Productions. The characters Jay and Silent ...

and the 1997 film ''

Chasing Amy ''Chasing Amy'' is a 1997 American romantic comedy-drama film written and directed by Kevin Smith and starring Ben Affleck, Joey Lauren Adams and Jason Lee. The third film in Smith's View Askewniverse series, the film is about a male comic a ...

'' * Alyssa Moy, from Fantastic Four comics

References

{{given name Feminine given names Given names derived from plants or flowers