EtymologyAlyssa is a variant of Alicia, itself a Latinized form of Alice, which ultimately derives from the Old French Aalis, a short form of Adelais, from the Germanic name Adalheidis (see Adelaide). The spelling of Alyssa has likely been influenced by the name of the alyssum flower. The flower's name comes from Greek ἀ (a), a negative prefix, combined with λύσσα (lyssa) meaning "madness, rabies," because the plant was believed to cure madness and rabies.Notable BearersNotable bearers include American actress Alyssa Milano and American singer Alyssa Reid. In the context of popular culture, the name has appeared in various films and television shows, further popularizing it.Cultural SignificanceThe name Alyssa has been popular in the United States, ranking among the top 20 names for girls between 2000 and 2009. Its popularity has since declined but it remains well-known. Variants of the name related to Alice include Alyssa, Alisa, and Alissa. Middle Eastern equivalents such as Elissa (derived from Queen Elissa of Carthage) also exist.Meaning: Noble; rational; flower alyssum (from Greek "a-" meaning not, and "lyssa" meaning madness)Origin: English variant of Alicia, ultimately from Germanic AdalheidisType: Feminine given nameUsage Regions: Primarily English-speaking countries, especially the United States