Alyssa is a name of Greek origin that has gained significant popularity in recent years, particularly in English-speaking countries like the United States and Australia. The name is derived from the Greek word "alexein," which means "to defend" or "to protect." Thus, Alyssa can be interpreted as meaning "defending men" or "noble defender."
The name Alyssa first appeared in print in 1895 in George Meredith's novel "The Amazing Marriage," where it was used as the given name for one of the characters. However, it wasn't until much later that the name began to gain traction and become more widely known.
In the early to mid-20th century, Alyssa was still a relatively rare name, but its popularity started to rise in the 1970s and 1980s. This trend continued throughout the following decades, with Alyssa reaching peak popularity in the United States during the late 1990s and early 2000s, when it consistently ranked among the top 50 most popular names for girls.
Today, Alyssa remains a popular choice for parents looking for a name that combines elegance and strength. Its Greek origins and powerful meaning continue to appeal to many, while its musical quality makes it easy on the ear and enjoyable to say. Despite its popularity, Alyssa has managed to maintain a certain level of uniqueness due to its relatively recent introduction into the mainstream naming landscape.
In conclusion, Alyssa is a name of Greek origin that means "defending men" or "noble defender." While it may not have as rich a history as some other names, it has certainly made its mark in recent decades and continues to be loved by parents around the world for its elegant sound and strong meaning.
Based on the provided statistics, we can observe trends and patterns surrounding the popularity of the name Alyssa over time in the United States.
From the years 1979 to 2014, there were a total of 432 births where the child was named Alyssa. The number of births with this name varied annually, reflecting changes in naming trends over time.
The earliest data point shows that there were 6 babies named Alyssa in 1979. This number remained relatively low in the following years, with only 5 births in 1980 and a noticeable increase to 11 births in 1984. The trend continued to rise steadily, reaching its peak popularity between the late 1980s and early 1990s.
In 1988, there were 22 babies named Alyssa, followed by an impressive 30 births in 1989. This high number of Alyssas born in consecutive years suggests that the name was particularly fashionable during this period.
However, popularity began to wane towards the mid-1990s. The number of Alyssas born annually fell from a peak of 20 in 1993 to just 8 in 1994, indicating a significant shift in naming preferences.
The early 2000s saw a resurgence in the popularity of the name Alyssa, with peaks of 45 births in 2004 and 19 births in both 2002 and 2007. However, this trend did not continue into the late 2000s and early 2010s, as the number of Alyssas born annually decreased to single digits from 2009 onwards.
The most recent data point available shows that there were only 5 births with the name Alyssa in both 2011 and 2013. This suggests that while Alyssa was once a popular choice for parents, it has since fallen out of favor and become less common as a baby name in the United States.
Overall, these statistics illustrate how the popularity of the name Alyssa has ebbed and flowed over time, reflecting broader trends in naming conventions among American parents.