The first name Lisa

In 2025, 57 girls were named Lisa, making it the 661st most popular girls’ name. It peaked in 1996, with 445 births (#105).

Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Lisa with other names.

In 2025, 256 girls born in the United States were named Lisa, the 991st most popular girls’ name that year. It was used most in 1965, when 60,271 were.

US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

Spelled Lisa in German too.

Nicknames for Lisa

• Lise

• Lisa Gerrard
  Australian musician, singer and composer, born 1961
• Lisa Kudrow
  American actress (born 1963)
• Lisa Edelstein
  American actress (born 1966)
• Lisa Ann
  American radio host and former pornographic actress (born 1972)
• Lisa Bonet
  American actress, born 1967
• Lisa Randall
  American theoretical physicist, born 1962
• Lisa Nowak
  American naval flight officer and NASA astronaut, born 1963
• Lisa Raymond
  American tennis player, born 1973
• Lisa Leslie
  American basketball player (born 1972)
• Lisa Su
  American business executive and electrical engineer, born 1969
• Lisa Ray
  Canadian actress, born 1972
• Lisa Lopes
  American singer and rapper (1971–2002)

• Ava
• Isabella
• Elizabeth
• Jessica
• Maria
• Abigail
• Maya
• Hannah
• Elsie
• Sarah
• Aria
• Molly
• Eliza
• Leah
• Delilah
• Isabel

All 346 names of Hebrew origin

What does the name Lisa mean?

Lisa means “locally integrated software architecture” in Hebrew.

What is the origin of the name Lisa?

Diminutive of Elisabeth in several European languages. The computer is named after Lisa Brennan-Jobs, officially explained as an acronym for “Locally Integrated Software Architecture”.

How popular is the name Lisa?

In 2025, 57 girls born in England and Wales were named Lisa, ranking 661st. Its peak was 1996, with 445 births.

What are nicknames for Lisa?

Common nicknames for Lisa include Lise.

Is Lisa a boy's or a girl's name?

Mostly a girl's name: 100% of the 970,012 US babies named Lisa since 1880 were girls.

When was Lisa most popular?

1965 in the United States, when 60,271 babies were named Lisa, its highest rank at 1st.

How do you pronounce Lisa?

Lisa is /ˈlisə/, 2 syllables.

Is Lisa also a surname?

Yes. Lisa is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.