Hi everyone. My name is Calissa. I was born in 1966 when internet wasn’t around nor did we know anything about Greek names, etc.
So, I’ve read this thread and yes, my name is made up. However it is NOT PRONOUNCED
Ca -Liss- a. It is in fact pronounced Ca-Lee-sa.
Before I get into details of having this name, I would like to add that in 2019 I saw another lady with the exact same name Calissa on a crafting group I’m in. Out of curiosity to know how she pronounced her name, her name is also pronounced Ca-Lee-sa.
Yes, yes, it’s such a beautiful name. But for heavens sake, no one ever pronounced it correctly! She and I both shared a life of being called Ca-Liss-a. Ugh! No, it’s Ca-Lee-sa.
We both share the exact sentiment of being called Ca-Liss-a. We both cringe. It’s like nails on a black board. It’s definitely a pet peeve! We also share that if we wear a name tag.... people stare at it, so we know they are trying to figure out the correct way to say it. Then when you tell them it’s Ca-Lee-sa, they ooh and aww how unique and pretty it is. Then want the story of how we got the name.
We both share how distracting that is when trying to work and do our jobs and that happens 3 or 4 times daily. Yes, a pet peeve. I use my last name on my badge now. Simple & easy, no questions.
She and I also shared being ridiculed in school by our English teachers and others into correct spelling over the years of how our parents misspelled our names. Ugh! We didn’t choose the spelling, okay?!!!
And the story behind my name is.... my mom being the youngest of 16 kids (born in 1944) being newly married and pregnant among other sisters and sister in laws.... they asked what she was naming her baby if boy/girl. My mom said Brian for a boy. My aunt/her sister had her son before my mom and took the name Brian. So my brother was named Kendall Ryan instead. My turn. I was supposed to be Lisa. But again, my aunt/another different sister had her girl before my mom and took the name Lisa. So several months later upon my arrival I was named Calissa (Ca-Lee-sa Ranae). When my mom was pregnant with her third child and they asked, she refused to disclose any names. She learned her lesson to keep it to herself by the third pregnancy. My younger brother is named Cory Lee.
We all were given unique uncommon names for back then. Until the internet came along and we get to see others with same name spellings.
Either way, my name is actually Greek. Who knew, right? I love it when it’s pronounced Ca-Lee-sa and gate it when it’s pronounced Ca-Liss-a.
People can call me any variations of it except Ca-Liss-a. My favorite is Ca-ree-sa or Cla-Reese when people mess it up. Those are actually really pretty names in my opinion.
Anyway, there ya have it from two ladies with the name spelling of Calissa, both from the 1960’s generations. Both names creatively made up. But both pronounced the same.... it is Ca-Lee-sa.
Let me just add this, it’s neat to have unique names but think of the child and how it might affect them when most people can not pronounce it correctly. Coming from a person who lives it daily.... it’s a pet-peeve! Thanks not mom! 😉