Marisa/Marissa? (American views especially welcome)

[BabyNameHelpPls]

Hi all,

Marisa/Marissa is on our shortlist—not currently in the top spot, but I’m having a wobble…

What do you all think when you hear it? I’m especially interested in American opinions as it’s more popular in the States than the UK and I’m not sure if I’m missing any particular connotations (I have a feeling it might be a bit basic/pumpkin spiced latte/sorority name?)

Brits: do you think of it as very American?

Also, I prefer the Marisa spelling as it feels a bit less 90s/early noughties than Marissa, but would people pronounce that Mah-REE-sa? (I know mishearing for Melissa is extremely likely, which is one of the reasons it’s not currently in the top spot).

Thanks for any input!

I would assume Marisa was mah-ree-sa rather than Marissa. I think it’s quite sweet and uncommon but recognisable.

I like the name Marissa. Reminds me of Marissa Cooper from the OC. A girl year in the year below me at school was called Marisa (pronounced the same as the ss version) and she was American, that probably warps my perception of it as an American name. I’d pronounce them both the same way.

I really like the name Marisa and wanted to consider it if we'd had a girl. But partner is Spanish and he said to him it's an old lady name (apparently a shortened form of Maria Luisa)
I'm English and to me it's a pretty name, makes me think of the sea. It does have a slight nineties vibe, but I don't think it's ever been common enough here to be really dated to then

The only Marisa I know is Scottish Italian her 20s.

I associate with Italian-Americans. I'm in the US and I think it would be quite a rare choice for a baby these days - most Marissas are in their 40s maybe.

I like it - it is a pretty name.

My wonderful auntie was Marise (Mah-reese). We're mixed Indian/Asian descent and I grew up in the UK.

I love it, think it's a beautiful name. I don't live in the UK anymore, I know of one other Marisa who is about 7, American family. Probably more popular on this side of the pond than UK, but a name that translates really well.

I'm just remembering my son had a very very pretty young women who worked in his daycare - that would be 25 years ago. She was Marisa. He loved her and if my then single brothers in law visited they would offer to collect him so they could chat to her.

All the Marisas I know are older Italian 60+ origin: Maria Louisa our Maria Isabella. It's not unheard of in Dutch (also from a combination of 2 names) or variations like Marieke and Marijke (mar-eye-ka)

I know a Scottish little girl called Marisa. Lovely little thing

I know a Marissa and a Marisa. The Marisa is a Mar-ee-sa and has to endlessly correct who call her Marissa

I'm in England and have a nearly 6 year old Marissa. I do sometimes think it sounds a bit American, especially with her brother's name and our surname but I'm not overly bothered.

I think it's a beautiful name that will age well with her. We didn't consider Marisa at all, I don't like the longer sound personally. It does occasionally get mistaken for Melissa but almost everyone says how lovely it is once corrected.

Marissa Cooper from the OC for me. It’s a real cool girl name, I love it!

I love Marissa and also immediately think of Marissa Cooper from The OC. It's a lovely name.

Marisa is Ma-ree-sa for me.
Any name/word ending in ..isa is that EE sound. Like Lisa.

I'm Hispanic and my husband is English.
I would pronounce it "Mahreesa" and spelled, "Marisa".

My husband fell in love with the name and wanted it for our child when I was pregnant. He liked the pronunciation of "Mahrissa" and the spelling, "Marissa".

The women and girls I know who are Hispanic are usually called the diminutive of "Mari", pronounced, "Mahree". The others are just called, Marissa outright.

It's indeed a lovely name. Btw, we never got to use it because we had a boy.

Beautiful name!