Nerissa

Greek

"from the sea"

Nerissa Origin and Meaning

The name Nerissa is a girl's name of Greek origin meaning "from the sea".

An offbeat possible replacement for the overused Melissa and Marisa, Nerissa was used by Shakespeare for Portia's witty confidante in The Merchant of Venice. Queen Elizabeth has a cousin named Nerissa.

Nerissa Rank in Nameberry Top 1000

# 1438 on Nameberry

Popularity of the name Nerissa

• 1438 Nameberry 2025

20 Names Similar to Nerissa

These 20 names were selected by our users that were looking for other names like Nerissa.

• Ravenna
• Indira
• Xiomara
• Melisande
• Demetria
• Estrella
• Xenia
• Lucina
• Astoria
• Adora
• Athalia
• Anthea
• Morrigan
• Nerida
• Cybele
• Verena
• Silvana
• Oriana
• Valencia
• Fiorella

Famous People Named Nerissa

• Nerissa Jane Irene Bowes Lyon, cousin of Queen Elizabeth II
• Nerissa Bretania Underwood Guamanian Senator
• Nerissa Love late fiancee of cricketer Bob Blair; portrayed in film "Tangiwai"
• Nerissa Nields American singer,songwriter of duo The Nields
• Nerissa Corazon Soon Ruiz, Filipina politician

The name Nerissa in Pop Culture

• Nerissa character in Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice"
• Nerissa villain on TV's "W.I.T.C.H"
• Nerissa the "little mermaid" from the game series, 'The Wolf Amongst Us'
• Nerissa Luxa's frail cousin in Gregor The Overlander
• Nerissa water faerie and the mother of Mark and Helen Blackthorn in Cassandra Clare's books