Nerissa - Name Meaning and Origin

The girl's name Nerissa \n(e)-rissa, ner(is)-sa\ is of Italian origin, and its meaning is "black-haired". From Nericcia. Created by Shakespeare for the name of Portia's waiting woman in "The Merchant of Venice". Also possibly derived from Nereida (Spanish, Greek) "sea nymph" or a variant based on Marisa or Marissa.

Nerissa has 4 variant forms: Narissa, Naryssa, Nericcia and Neryssa.

For more information, see also the related name Nerine.

Baby names that sound like Nerissa are Neriss and Norissa.

Nerissa is a common female first name and a very rare surname (source: 1990 U.S. Census). Displayed below is the baby name popularity trend for the girl's name Nerissa. Click here to compare Nerissa with related baby names.