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Risa as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Risa

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The baby name Risa is a Female name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced English: REE-sah (/ˈriːsə/); Japanese: ri-sa (/ɾisa/); Spanish: REE-sah (/ˈrisa/).

Risa is Japanese in Origin.

Gender: Female
Syllables: 2.0
Origin: Japanese
Pronunciation: English: REE-sah (/ˈriːsə/); Japanese: ri-sa (/ɾisa/); Spanish: REE-sah (/ˈrisa/)

What is the meaning of the name Risa ?

The baby name Risa is a Female name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced English: REE-sah (/ˈriːsə/); Japanese: ri-sa (/ɾisa/); Spanish: REE-sah (/ˈrisa/).

Risa is Japanese in Origin.

Risa is a cross-cultural feminine given name with multiple origins. In Japanese, Risa (りさ) can be written with various kanji, producing meanings like "jasmine/gauze" (莉紗), "pear/gauze" (梨紗), "reason/sand" (理沙), or "village/bloom" (里咲); pronunciation REE-sah. In Spanish, risa literally means "laughter," lending a cheerful association when used as a name. In Slavic and Greek contexts, Risa functions as a short form of Larisa/Larissa, ultimately from the Thessalian city Larisa meaning "citadel"; it can also shorten Marisa.

The name appears in Japan from the late 20th century onward and entered English-speaking use mid-century, sometimes independently, sometimes as a nickname. Notable bearers include artists and athletes across Asia and North America, helping its international profile. Variants and related forms include Larisa, Larissa, Marisa, Raisa, and Rissa; short forms include Ri and Isa. Meanings therefore range from "laughter" to specific Japanese kanji interpretations to the "citadel" sense via Larissa.

Risa has the following similar or variant Names

Famous people with the name Risa

Risa Niigaki Actor · Born 1988 · Japan Risa Niigaki is best known as a former member of the Japanese idol group Morning Musume, where she played a significant role in the group's success. She joined the group in 2001 and became its leader in 2008, contributing to hits like 'Shabondama' and 'Aruiteru'. After leaving Morning Musume, she pursued a career in acting and has appeared in various stage plays and television dramas in Japan.

Risa – Popularity by country

Based on birth registration data from national statistics agencies.

Country Gender Year Rank Born of
BN 0 #32 1 2,297
NA 0 #33 1 2,537
MV Girls 0 #34 2 2,021
ID 0 #39 1 2,238
JP Girls 0 #42 384 6,592
MO 0 #52 1 2,706
JP 0 #53 25 4,057
LU 0 #66 1 2,830
AZ Girls 0 #75 1 1,051
CN 0 #86 1 3,857
JM 0 #93 1 3,714
ID Girls 0 #94 9 3,319
TW 0 #103 1 4,523
QA 0 #105 2 7,011
PH 0 #107 4 5,607
BN Girls 0 #110 5 5,459
OM 0 #120 2 6,215
BN Boys 0 #139 1 6,332
LT Boys 0 #151 1 2,166
MT Girls 0 #152 2 3,773
CZ 0 #185 2 3,154
AE 0 #187 1 10,220
AL Girls 0 #207 16 4,141
BD 0 #218 10 5,992
HU Girls 0 #224 2 3,308
IR 0 #230 2 4,221
MO Girls 0 #236 16 7,056
NA Girls 0 #237 1 7,146
EC Boys 0 #246 1 3,322
TW Girls 0 #247 30 8,139
TW Boys 0 #255 2 7,111
GR Boys 0 #273 1 6,912
CZ Boys 0 #276 29 6,530
JM Girls 0 #277 2 7,507
SG 0 #279 4 11,010
AL Boys 0 #302 2 5,122
QA Girls 0 #306 11 15,378
SA 0 #309 4 10,560
Canada Girls 1996 #310 5 2,386
DK Girls 0 #328 2 7,429
KZ Girls 0 #330 3 5,862
CN Girls 0 #334 16 8,829
GH Girls 0 #337 1 6,973
JO Girls 0 #339 1 7,570
CZ Girls 0 #351 1 5,378
MY 0 #353 2 12,352
SD Girls 0 #353 6 7,678
BD Girls 0 #354 33 8,413
HK 0 #356 2 8,483
PH Girls 0 #369 22 13,098
OM Girls 0 #374 23 15,987
YE 0 #397 2 8,639
BO 0 #408 1 6,868
CL 0 #434 1 6,867
SD Boys 0 #464 3 10,523
PT Girls 0 #469 3 7,952
ZA 0 #474 1 14,421
KW Girls 0 #480 36 19,177
AR Boys 0 #482 2 7,628
RU Girls 0 #484 15 11,913
CO 0 #510 1 7,768
AE Girls 0 #517 37 20,968
PA Girls 0 #517 2 9,861
SG Girls 0 #518 69 18,916
IQ Girls 0 #525 1 11,303
IR Boys 0 #525 28 10,162
RU Boys 0 #526 1 12,621
GT Girls 0 #538 4 7,500
IR Girls 0 #543 3 8,334
PS Girls 0 #543 5 10,981
HK Boys 0 #557 1 12,905
LY 0 #558 2 12,703
CM Girls 0 #560 1 11,671
HK Girls 0 #566 50 16,104
CR Girls 0 #569 5 11,342
CM Boys 0 #575 1 12,054
BH 0 #581 7 17,937
BD Boys 0 #603 3 10,045
IN Girls 0 #616 16 13,121
BO Boys 0 #622 1 9,244
IL Girls 0 #638 8 11,648
BO Girls 0 #650 2 9,488
LB 0 #689 2 13,263
CL Boys 0 #698 3 13,390
SG Boys 0 #736 4 17,960
QA Boys 0 #737 7 18,093
SY 0 #767 1 11,684
BR Boys 0 #785 1 12,213
KW Boys 0 #803 4 18,755
NG Girls 0 #820 7 15,093
CL Girls 0 #840 12 14,098
SA Girls 0 #851 85 25,931
MY Girls 0 #854 141 24,821
TN 0 #864 2 13,765
United States Girls 2024 #902 15 8,487
OM Boys 0 #915 4 17,948
BR Girls 0 #916 26 12,708
EG Boys 0 #924 2 15,035
PE Boys 0 #926 1 14,506
EG Girls 0 #949 11 14,742
Spain Girls 0 #961 23 5,561
CO Boys 0 #975 7 15,656
PE Girls 0 #1,005 6 14,861
MX Boys 0 #1,029 5 16,355
IN Boys 0 #1,039 1 16,750
CO Girls 0 #1,063 16 16,140
AE Boys 0 #1,081 12 22,615
MY Boys 0 #1,091 21 25,439
MA 0 #1,097 32 20,986
ZA Girls 0 #1,118 24 25,928
DZ 0 #1,163 14 20,130
MX Girls 0 #1,169 15 17,781
TR 0 #1,250 5 19,440
ZA Boys 0 #1,272 1 25,619
IT Girls 0 #1,389 58 9,415
IT Boys 0 #1,458 14 10,046
SA Boys 0 #1,598 17 28,008

Risa is popular in 67 countries — most recent births per country:

United States
Canada
AE
AL
AR

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People also ask about Risa

Risa is predominantly a girl's name.
Risa is a 2 syllable name, pronounced English: REE-sah (/ˈriːsə/); Japanese: ri-sa (/ɾisa/); Spanish: REE-sah (/ˈrisa/).
Common nicknames and spelling variations include Reesa, Reisa and Rissa.
Across languages, Risa has these equivalents: Marisa (related), Arisa (similar Japanese name), Joy (English, similar meaning), Letitia/Leticia (Latin, 'joy'), Jasmine (shares 'jasmine' element in some Japanese kanji).
Yes — Risa ranked #310 in Canada in 1996, and appears in official birth registries across 2 countries.
Risa ranks highest in Canada (#310 in 1996).
Risa's popularity is rising. It moved from #906 in 2014 to #902 in 2024 in United States.
Yes — 1 notable people named Risa are in our database, including Risa Niigaki (Actor).