Alysa is a feminine given name of English usage, considered a variant spelling of Alicia. The name Alicia itself is a Latinized form of Alice, which originates from the Old French Aalis, a short form of Adelais — itself a diminutive of the Germanic name Adalheidis (see Adelaide), meaning “noble natured” or “of noble kind.” While Alysa is etymologically connected to Alice through this chain, the name also commonly intersects with the Greek-derived name Alyssa; Alyssa is widely used in Western countries and is associated with the alyssum flower, whose name comes from Greek a- ("not") and lyssa ("mania, rabies"), referencing the plant's supposed medicinal properties. In Arabic-speaking cultures, equivalents such as Alisa, Alissa, and Elissa reference the legendary Queen Elissa (also known as Dido), the founder of Carthage. These distinctive origins cause Alysa to share many variant spellings with both the Alice and Alyssa family of names, including Aleshia, Alissa, Elisa, and others. Popularity and Usage In the United States, the name Alyssa (and by extension its spelling variant Alysa) experienced a significant surge in popularity during the late 20th and early 21st centuries. It ranked among the top 20 names for girls between 2000 and 2009. From that peak, its usage gradually declined, and by 2020 it had fallen in the rankings. The variant spelling "Alysa" was also regularly used, though it consistently charted lower than the standard "Alyssa" form. The alternating dip in relative frequencies underscores Alysa's persistent, if more moderate, appeal as a modern name that parallels trends for other "A" names often appearing in naming. Meaning: Variant of Alicia, ultimately from Germanic Adalheidis ("noble kind"); also related to Greek alyssum flower (“not madness”). Origin: English; composite relationships from Germanic and Greek roots. Gender: Feminine Usage Regions: English-speaking countries, especially the United States.