Nerissa?

Girl Names
1

What are you thoughts about the name [name]Nerissa[/name]? I am trying to figure out girl names that I really like outside of [name]Liliana[/name] (would like another option, because they are so many [name]Lily[/name]'s lately).

I have heard of the name before, but just recently, I have really noticed the name. (If that makes sense.)

I do not really care for the name [name]Melissa[/name] or [name]Marisa[/name], but [name]Nerissa[/name] has is sounds sort of fun to me. I guess am looking for something that can be considered romantic, elegant, distinguished, ages well, yet whimsical and fun.

I am not to worried that is will be mistaken with the two names above, but do you think:

  • it sounds made up?
  • has teasing potential?
  • boring?
  • trendy?
  • blah?
  • know something better sounding?
  • well…

I would really like your opinion on this name. Also, what middle name(s) do you think would sound good with it, because I really have no clue.

Thanks in advance,
natural

2

It’s not trendy. It has a slightly '80s sound to me, that’s probably rub-off from [name]Melissa[/name] and a bit from all the [name]Alyssa[/name]/Alicias of assorted spellings. -issa doesn’t do it for me, honestly, but I think [name]Nerissa[/name] is one of the nicer ones.

I like [name]Nerida[/name] (NER-ih-da) which is an Australian name meaning “water lily” and I like it because I’m giddy for botanicals.

[name]Nerissa[/name] would sound good to me with a classic and polished feminine name that doesn’t end in -a, like [name]Nerissa[/name] [name]Caroline[/name] or [name]Nerissa[/name] [name]Vivienne[/name].

3

I know a teen with this name and she corrects people a lot on what her name is.

4

It’s a pretty sound, but since it’s only one or two letters off of several other far more popular names she’d spend her life correcting people.

I like [name]Nessa[/name] a lot though.

5

My neighbor’s name is [name]Narissa[/name] and she is a 40 year old mother. I never thought to mispronounce it and always thought it fit her well.

6

Definitely does not sound made up. I’m not really sure how I feel about it but when I hear the name, I picture a middle-aged woman.

7

Thanks so far for the responses. I am not too sure how I feel about the name myself. I do like it, but not entirely loving it. I just wanted to know what others thought about the name. It helps that some have met those with the actual name and how some may have struggled with it. The more I look and say the name, the more I see the relation to other -issa/-isa names: [name]Melissa[/name], [name]Clarissa[/name], [name]Marisa[/name], [name]Alyssa[/name], etc. Not sure if that is good or bad. Because in a way it does seem more 80s and early 90s to me. Thought I was over thinking it.

@stripedsocks: I do like [name]Nerida[/name], but I guess I am saying it a bit wrong, because I hear nerd in it often. But you have offered a name that is what I am hoping to find more of. Thank you.

8

I know a [name]Nerissa[/name] and she is really awesome, artsy, and spunky. No one ever messes up her name.

9

You may like the beautiful variants:

[name]Nerine[/name]/[name]Nereen[/name]
[name]Nerina[/name] (favorite!)
[name]Nerita[/name]
[name]Nerice[/name]
[name]Nissa[/name]

10

-it sounds made up? Not really

  • has teasing potential? I can’t think of any reason someone named [name]Nerissa[/name] would be teased.
    -boring? definitely not boring
    -trendy? doesn’t seem trendy
    -blah? No
    -know something better sounding?
    I don’t know if these are better but they are similar in style to the other names in your siggy ([name]Liliana[/name], [name]Isabeau[/name], [name]Soraya[/name], [name]Nerissa[/name]):
    [name]Adriana[/name]
    [name]Layla[/name] or [name]Laila[/name] or [name]Leila[/name]
    [name]Malia[/name] or [name]Maleah[/name]
    [name]Lilia[/name]
    [name]Alessia[/name]
    [name]Liana[/name]
    [name]Bianca[/name]
    [name]Samira[/name]
    [name]Alida[/name]
    [name]Tahlia[/name] or [name]Talia[/name] or [name]Thalia[/name]
    [name]Kira[/name]
    [name]Corinna[/name]
    [name]Mireya[/name]
11

It’s a beautiful Shakespearean name-- and the literary [name]Nerissa[/name] was a good namesake. Definitely not trendy; it’s quite uncommon and all of the -[name]Issa[/name] sister names were given 20-30 yrs ago. If you’re looking for something distinguished, romantic, uncommon and fun, I think [name]Nerissa[/name] fits the bill perfectly.

12

I love Shakespearean names and have a daughter named [name]Vanessa[/name], so I like [name]Nerissa[/name].

  • it sounds made up? Not to me, but maybe that’s because I’m a name nerd and read a lot. To the average person out there, it might sound like a made-up variation of [name]Marissa[/name].

  • has teasing potential? - nothing too obvious. maybe Nerd-issa? (hate that we even have to consider bullies when choosing names btw!)

  • boring? not at all!

  • trendy? not at all!

  • blah? not at all!

  • know something better sounding? I know a woman named Narina. I wouldn’t say it’s better, but [name]Nerissa[/name] remindes me of Narina a little.

13

I love this name. People get too worked up about baby names these days. If you like it, use it.

14

[name]Just[/name] out of curiosity-- how do you reconcile this statement with your signature?

15

I love [name]Nerissa[/name]! It sounds so pretty and fresh next to [name]Marissa[/name]/[name]Melissa[/name]. [name]One[/name] possible meaning of the name is “sea nymph” so that’s cool as well.

16

I think it’s pretty, but she would definitely have to over-pronounce the N the first time for people. I would choose the pared-down [name]Nerys[/name], but it’s just a personal preference.

17

Thanks Berries!