Larissa

Larissa is a feminine given name used in English, German, Portuguese, and Greek, among other languages. It is a variant of Larisa, which may derive from the name of the ancient city of Larisa in Thessaly, meaning "citadel". In Greek mythology, the nymph Larisa was either a daughter or mother of Pelasgus, the mythical ancestor of the Pelasgians. The name has also been borne by a 4th-century Greek Christian saint, venerated in the Eastern Orthodox Church, which helped spread its use in Slavic nations.

While the name has ancient roots, it was not commonly used in English-speaking countries until the 20th century, when it was borrowed from Russian. Its popularity rose further in 1991 when the name was given to a moon of Neptune, discovered that year and called Larissa after a figure in Greek mythology. The spelling with double 's' is common in English, though the original Greek form is Larisa with one 's'. In Ukrainian, the name is more often rendered as Larysa.

Notable bearers include Larissa (the nymph), Saint Larissa (a 4th-century martyr), and various modern figures. An oval below captures key facts.

• Meaning: Citadel (assumed)
• Origin: Greek
• Type: Given name
• Languages: English, German, Portuguese, Greek, Ukrainian (Larysa)
• Related forms: Larisa, Larysa, Lara