Lisa
Peaked at #1 nationally in 1962, based on real US Social Security Administration birth records.
Girls vs. boys, all-time
Since 1886, Lisa has been recorded >99% of the time for girls and <1% of the time for boys.
Meaning & origin
Lisa began as a short form of Elizabeth, tracing back through that name to the Hebrew Elisheva, meaning "God is my oath." It became a standalone given name in the mid-20th century and, buoyed by its short, easy sound, was the most popular name for American girls for much of the 1960s and 1970s.
Notable people & culture
Actress Lisa Kudrow, known for her role in Friends, and singer Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of Elvis Presley, are two of the name's best-known modern bearers. The name is also indirectly tied to art history through the Mona Lisa, Leonardo da Vinci's portrait of Lisa Gherardini. It remains a widely recognized and enduring American name.
Play with Lisa
Not quite the name you're after? Generate nicknames and more, based on Lisa.
Pick a style above and hit Generate to see AI-suggested nicknames.
Lisa — Girls (United States)
FallingPeak rank
#1
in 1962
Current rank
#985
in 2024
Years tracked
121
1886–2024
Trend
Falling
Tracked since 1886, Lisa reached its peak popularity for girls in 1962, ranking #1 nationally with 46,074 babies given the name that year.
Over the last 10 years of data, its rank has slipped from #740 (2014) to #985 (2024) — a 25% drop.
As of 2024, Lisa ranks #985 nationally for girls, with 262 babies given the name that year.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | #985 | 262 |
| 2023 | #851 | 315 |
| 2022 | #932 | 290 |
| 2021 | #1,026 | 248 |
| 2020 | #1,037 | 243 |
| 2019 | #957 | 276 |
| 2018 | #878 | 308 |
| 2017 | #882 | 309 |
Lisa — Boys (United States)
FallingPeak rank
#576
in 1965
Last ranked
#8759
in 2000
Years tracked
45
1952–2000
Trend
Falling
Tracked since 1952, Lisa reached its peak popularity for boys in 1965, ranking #576 nationally with 177 babies given the name that year.
Lisa hasn't appeared among the national top ranks for boys since 2000, when it stood at #8759.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | #8,759 | 7 |
| 1996 | #7,649 | 7 |
| 1994 | #4,698 | 13 |
| 1993 | #7,295 | 7 |
| 1992 | #5,112 | 11 |
| 1991 | #4,146 | 14 |
| 1990 | #4,106 | 14 |
| 1989 | #2,273 | 30 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, National Data, 1880–2024.
Similar trajectory
Other names that peaked around the same era and rose or fell on a comparable curve.
Based on US data — girls' names only.
Common Questions
When was Lisa most popular?
Lisa was most popular in 1962, when it ranked #1 nationally for girls — the highest rank it has reached in this data.
Is Lisa becoming more or less popular?
For girls, it's currently falling; for boys, it's currently falling, based on the last decade of SSA data.
How many babies have been named Lisa?
At least 969,749 babies have been recorded with the name Lisa in the US since 1886, according to Social Security Administration birth records.
Looking for more name ideas like Lisa? Try the Baby Name Generator or compare it against other names on the Name Trends hub.