Meaning & History
Alisa is a female given name used in several languages, including Georgian, Bosnian, Finnish, Russian, and Ukrainian. It is a form of Alice, which itself derives from the Old French name Aalis, a short form of Adelais, ultimately from the Germanic name Adalheidis (see Adelaide). The name Alice became popular in France and England in the 12th century and remained among the most common names in England until the 16th century, experiencing a revival in the 19th century.
The name Alisa is particularly widespread in Slavic and Finno-Ugric cultural spheres. In Russia and Ukraine, it became popular in the late Soviet period and is often associated with modern, international naming trends. In Finland, Alisa (along with its variant Aliisa) has been in use since the 19th century, enjoying periodic boosts in popularity. Its arrival in these regions often reflects the influence of Western European culture and literature, particularly the character of Alice in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (1865) by Lewis Carroll.
Notable bearers of the name include Russian museum director Alisa Aksyonova (born 1931), American philosopher of science Alisa Bokulich, Ukrainian ice dancer Alisa Agafonova (born 1991), Finnish figure skater Alisa Drei (born 1978), and Australian Olympic aerial skier Alisa Camplin (born 1974). Feminine name variants include Finnish Aliisa, Basque Alize, and Swedish Alice. Related diminutives include Finnish Alli and Iisa.
Distribution
Alisa ranks among the top 10 names for newborn girls in Russia as of the 2010s, and it is also popular in Finland. Its usage in Bosnia reflects the name's adaptability across religious and linguistic borders.
- Meaning: Variant of Alice, from Germanic Adalheidis, meaning 'noble'
- Origin: Germanic, via Old French
- Type: First name
- Usage regions: Georgia, Bosnia, Finland, Russia, Ukraine
Related Names
Sources: Wikipedia — Alisa