The Baby Name Wizard

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Contribute to, or edit, this collection of community wisdom on the name Alyssa!

Comments and insights on the name Alyssa: | Edit

I also was the only Alyssa in grade school. I never had a nickname until I got older Aly and Lyss. I absolutely have always loved my name and people always tell me how beautiful it is and it suits me. Alyssa is such a feminine name, it's no wonder it came from a flower.

Personal experiences with the name Alyssa: | Edit

I frequently get my name misspelled and pronounced incorrectly. I believe I was the only Alyssa in my graduating class in high school out of 2,000 students. When I got to college there were several more Alyssas than I was expecting. I view my name as sounding somewhat childish, but I still like it because there aren't that many people my age with the name.

Nicknames for Alyssa: | Edit

Aly, Lissa, Lys, Lyssa, Lyssie

Meanings and history of the name Alyssa: | Edit

At 38 years old, I am the oldest Alyssa that I know of. I remember as a child how uncommon it was but I remember getting lots of compliments too. My parents were asked for permission by close neighbors to use my name when they adopted a baby girl sometime before I was 12 years old. I remember NEVER being able to find it in print.

My mom came up with the name while shopping for dresses for my older sister (who ironically is named Jennifer and at 44 years of age is the oldest Jennifer that I know of). Seems my mom is a trendsetter. Alyssa was the name of a brand of dresses and was clearly displayed on the tags.

I was unnamed for 3 days after being born because the rest of the family did not feel the same enthusiasm for the name. My mom finally won out (as well she should've, she did ALL the work!)

When people have difficulty saying my name, I tell them, Melissa without the, 'M'. Proper phonics does clearly show people how to say it though and its so much prettier with a, 'Y'. My nicknames are, 'Lys' and 'Lyssa' or 'Lyssee Lou.' In class, the teachers would always have my full attention if they said, "listen" because I would think they were saying my name.

See, Alyssa Milano was NOT the 1st.....and I probably wasn't either because I would assume those dresses were probably named after SOMEONE. Ha.

Famous real-life people named Alyssa: | Edit

Alyssa Milano, actress

Alyssa in song, story & screen: | Edit

Alyssa Lies by Jason Michael Carroll
Miss Alissa by Eagles of Death Metal