How popular is the baby name Risa in the United States right now? How popular was it historically? Use the popularity graph and data table below to find out! Plus, see all the blog posts that mention the name Risa.

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Popularity of the baby name Risa


Posts that mention the name Risa

Where did the baby name Risë (ree-sah) come from in 1942?

Opera singer Risë Stevens, as Carmen.
Opera singer Risë Stevens

This one took me years to figure out.

The curious name Rise debuted in the Social Security Administration data in 1942:

  • 1944: 13 baby girls named Rise
  • 1943: 7 baby girls named Rise
  • 1942: 15 baby girls named Rise [debut]
  • 1941: unlisted
  • 1940: unlisted

“Rise”? Huh.

Rise was the 4th-most-popular debut name that year, and not far behind (in 7th place) was the somewhat similar Risa:

  • 1944: 12 baby girls named Risa
  • 1943: 5 baby girls named Risa
  • 1942: 12 baby girls named Risa [debut]
  • 1941: unlisted
  • 1940: unlisted

Later in the ’40s, names like Reesa and Rissa popped up. And in the ’50s, names like Riesa and Reisa appeared. So there was definitely a minor Ris– trend going on in the mid-20th century, with “Rise” being the unlikely top variant.

But because “Rise” is also a vocabulary word, I had no luck pinning down the source. (It’s ridiculously hard to research word-names on the internet. I’m still stumped on Memory and Treasure.) Eventually I gave up.

Years later, as I was grabbing an image for the Finesse post, the answer landed right in front of me in the form of a cigarette ad:

Opera singer Risë Stevens in an advertisement for Camel cigarettes (Life magazine, 1953)
Risë Stevens in a cigarette ad

The full-page advertisement for Camels from a 1953 issue of LIFE magazine featured a “lovely star of the Metropolitan Opera” named Risë Stevens. I knew right away that this glamorous-looking lady — and her diaeresis! — was the solution to the “Rise” puzzle.

Mezzo-soprano Risë Stevens was born Risë Steenberg in New York City in 1913. Her first name is pronounced REE-sah or REE-suh. Here’s how she explained it:

“It’s Norwegian; it was my grandmother’s name and my great-grandmother’s name. In school I was called everything but Rise; I was called Rose; I was called Rise {rhyming with “eyes”}; I was called Risé {rhyming with “play”}; even Teresa. In school, it was terrible; I would have arguments with the teachers. I would say, ‘I should know how to pronounce my own name.'”

(One source suggests that the name Risë is related to the Latin word risus, meaning “laughter.”)

So what was an opera singer doing in a national advertising campaign? Shouldn’t those be reserved for Hollywood stars? Well, turns out she was a Hollywood star — at least for a time. She sang professionally from the mid-1930s to the mid-1960s, but in the early 1940s she gave acting a shot.

Her first film, released in late 1941, was the musical The Chocolate Soldier. Notice how her dots were left off the movie poster:

Poster for the film "The Chocolate Soldier" (1941), co-starring Risë Stevens.

This film accounts for the 1942 debut of both “Rise” and the phonetic respelling Risa.

Risë Stevens ultimately left Hollywood and returned to the opera — and she managed to bring at least a portion of her movie audience with her:

“I probably would never have reached that vast public had I not done films,” she said. “At least, I won a lot of people over to opera.”

This explains why Risë Stevens, often called the greatest Carmen of her generation, was being featured in advertisements and on television talk shows more than a decade later. And why her unique name therefore saw peak usage in the 1950s.

If you want to know more about Risë (and hear her sing!) here’s a Risë Stevens Tribute video created by the National Endowment for the Arts.

P.S. Risë Stevens had a granddaughter named Marisa — a combination of the names of her grandmothers, Maria and Risë. Risë Stevens’ son told her that he went with the -a ending instead of the ending because he was “not going to put her through what you’ve been through.”

Sources:

Second image: © 1953 Life

Baby name needed: Girl name for Emma & Ethan’s sister

A reader named Andi has two children, Emma and Ethan. She’s now expecting her third, a girl, and she’d like some name suggestions. Here are the details:

  • She does not want another E-name.
  • She’d like something that isn’t very trendy.
  • The baby’s surname will start with an r and have two syllables. (Think Rogers.)

Andi likes the names Adeline (nn Addie), Ava, Chloe, Ellie, Grace, Isabelle, Lauren, Lily, Madeline (nn Maddie) and Victoria. Her husband doesn’t care for any of these names, though.

She also mentions that the names Olivia, Catherine and Julia are off the table.

This is a curious case. Andi would like to avoid trendy names, yet many of the names she likes are very trendy right now. Ava and Chloe are in the top 10. Grace and Lily are in the top 20. Isabelle is similar to #1 name Isabella. Ellie is similar to #14 Ella. Addie and Maddie are also nicknames for #12 Addison and #7 Madison.

So the challenge will be finding a name to go with Emma and Ethan that sounds trendy, but isn’t. Here are some ideas:

Adele
Alice
Althea
Anne
Calla
Camille
Celeste
Celia
Claribel
Diane
Delia
Flora
Helen
Jane
Johanna
Josephine
Josie
Larissa
Lucia
Lydia
Mabel
Marie
Marina
Marla
Naomi
Nelle
Nicole
Opal
Ramona
Risa
Sabina
Sylvia
Talia
Thea
Theresa
Willa

Which of these do you like best with Emma and Ethan? What other names would you suggest to Andi?

Anagram baby names (4 letters long)

Anagram baby names (4 letters)

Looking for a set of baby names with something in common? If so, here are some 4-letter anagram names for you to check out!

Anagrams are words that contain the same set of letters, but not in the same sequence. For instance, the words “race,” “care,” and “acre” are all anagrams of one another.

Anagram names can be a neat option for siblings — particularly multiples (like twins and triplets). They’re also a clever way to connect a baby name to the name of an older relative (e.g., grandpa Gary, grandson Gray).

Below are hundreds of four-letter names (collected from the SSA’s huge database of U.S. baby names) that happen to be anagrams of other names.

Four-letter anagram names

  • Adir, Adri, Ardi, Dair, Dari, Diar, Dira, Dria, Riad, Rida
  • Anir, Anri, Arin, Iran, Nari, Nira, Rain, Rani, Rian, Rina
  • Aris, Asir, Isra, Rais, Rias, Risa, Sair, Sari, Siar, Sira
  • Asim, Asmi, Isam, Isma, Mais, Misa, Saim, Sami, Siam, Sima
  • Alen, Anel, Elan, Elna, Lane, Lean, Lena, Neal, Nela
  • Alin, Anil, Ilan, Lain, Lani, Lian, Lina, Nali, Nila
  • Amin, Iman, Mani, Mian, Mina, Naim, Nami, Niam, Nima
  • Anvi, Avin, Avni, Ivan, Navi, Niva, Vani, Vian, Vina
  • Adin, Andi, Dain, Dani, Dian, Dina, Idan, Nida
  • Ahri, Hari, Hira, Irah, Irha, Rahi, Rhia, Riah
  • Amir, Amri, Iram, Irma, Mari, Mira, Rami, Rima
  • Ariv, Arvi, Avir, Avri, Ivar, Ravi, Riva, Vira
  • Arno, Aron, Noar, Nora, Oran, Orna, Roan, Rona
  • Emir, Emri, Imer, Imre, Irem, Meir, Meri, Remi
  • Eron, Nero, Nore, Oren, Reno, Reon, Roen, Rone
  • Aden, Dane, Dean, Dena, Edan, Edna, Neda
  • Aina, Anai, Ania, Iaan, Iana, Naia, Niaa
  • Akil, Alik, Ikal, Ilka, Kail, Kali, Kila
  • Akim, Kami, Kiam, Maik, Maki, Mika, Mkai
  • Akin, Anik, Kain, Kani, Kian, Kina, Nika
  • Alek, Elka, Kael, Kale, Kela, Klea, Lake
  • Alem, Amel, Elam, Elma, Leam, Mael, Mela
  • Alim, Amil, Ilma, Liam, Lima, Mali, Mila
  • Alis, Asil, Asli, Ilsa, Isla, Lisa, Sila
  • Alun, Lanu, Luan, Luna, Nalu, Nula, Ulan
  • Alyn, Lany, Layn, Lyan, Lyna, Nyla, Ylan
  • Anis, Isan, Nasi, Nisa, Sani, Sian, Sina
  • Ariz, Azir, Izra, Razi, Zair, Zari, Zira
  • Elon, Leno, Leon, Noel, Nole, Olen, Onel
  • Iron, Noir, Nori, Onir, Orin, Rion, Roni
  • Aari, Aira, Arai, Aria, Iara, Raia
  • Acel, Alec, Cael, Cale, Clea, Lace
  • Adel, Dael, Dale, Dela, Elda, Leda
  • Ahil, Hali, Hila, Ihla, Ilha, Liah
  • Aily, Ilay, Ilya, Iyla, Liya, Yali
  • Ajan, Ajna, Anja, Jaan, Jana, Naja
  • Alex, Axel, Axle, Lexa, Xael, Xela
  • Amen, Eman, Enma, Mane, Mena, Nema
  • Amor, Amro, Maor, Mora, Omar, Roma
  • Anni, Iann, Inna, Nain, Nani, Nina
  • Anze, Azen, Enza, Ezan, Zane, Zena
  • Ayin, Iyan, Niya, Nyia, Yani, Yian
  • Azel, Elza, Zael, Zale, Zeal, Zela
  • Ekin, Enki, Kein, Keni, Kien, Nike
  • Erik, Iker, Keir, Keri, Kier, Kire
  • Izan, Izna, Zain, Zani, Zian, Zina
  • Kior, Kiro, Kori, Kroi, Orik, Riko
  • Abel, Able, Bela, Elba, Leba
  • Abir, Abri, Arib, Bair, Bria
  • Adil, Dali, Ilda, Ladi, Lida
  • Aeri, Aire, Arie, Eira, Reia
  • Ahmi, Haim, Mahi, Mhia, Miah
  • Ahni, Hani, Hina, Ihan, Niah
  • Aima, Amai, Amia, Maia, Miaa
  • Alam, Alma, Amal, Lama, Mala
  • Alay, Alya, Ayal, Ayla, Laya
  • Alie, Eila, Elai, Elia, Leia
  • Alon, Lona, Naol, Nola, Olan
  • Amar, Amra, Aram, Mara, Rama
  • Amer, Emra, Erma, Mera, Rema
  • Ames, Esma, Mase, Mesa, Sema
  • Amzi, Azim, Izma, Mazi, Zaim
  • Anar, Aran, Arna, Nara, Rana
  • Anay, Anya, Ayan, Naya, Yana
  • Aras, Asar, Asra, Rasa, Sara
  • Arel, Earl, Lera, Rael, Real
  • Aren, Arne, Eran, Nare, Rena
  • Ares, Aser, Esra, Sare, Sera
  • Arif, Fira, Ifra, Rafi, Raif
  • Arlo, Lora, Orla, Ralo, Rola
  • Ayen, Enya, Eyan, Neya, Yena
  • Elim, Emil, Liem, Meli, Miel
  • Elin, Leni, Neil, Neli, Nile
  • Elis, Elsi, Esli, Ilse, Lise
  • Elya, Eyal, Eyla, Leya, Yael
  • Enok, Keno, Keon, Koen, Neko
  • Erin, Iren, Neri, Rein, Reni
  • Eris, Reis, Ries, Rise, Sire
  • Eryn, Nery, Reyn, Ryen, Ryne
  • Imon, Moni, Nimo, Nomi, Omni
  • Irya, Iyra, Riya, Yair, Yari
  • Isak, Kais, Kasi, Kisa, Skai
  • Izak, Kazi, Kiza, Zaki, Zkai
  • Lino, Lion, Loni, Nilo, Olin
  • Nyza, Yazn, Zayn, Zyan, Zyna
  • Aadi, Adia, Aida, Daia
  • Acer, Acre, Cera, Race
  • Adan, Adna, Dana, Nada
  • Adar, Arda, Dara, Raad
  • Adem, Amed, Dema, Emad
  • Adja, Daja, Jaad, Jada
  • Adly, Daly, Lady, Lyda
  • Adya, Ayda, Ayad, Daya
  • Adyn, Andy, Aydn, Dany
  • Ahan, Ahna, Anah, Hana
  • Aidy, Diya, Iyad, Yida
  • Aiko, Akio, Aoki, Kaio
  • Aila, Alai, Alia, Laia
  • Aimy, Miya, Myia, Yami
  • Aisa, Asai, Asia, Saia
  • Aiza, Azai, Azia, Zaia
  • Akon, Kano, Kaon, Kona
  • Alia, Alli, Illa, Lila
  • Aliz, Izla, Liza, Zila
  • Aman, Amna, Anam, Mana
  • Amay, Amya, Maya, Yama
  • Amit, Mati, Taim, Tiam
  • Amon, Mona, Noam, Oman
  • Amun, Anum, Manu, Muna
  • Amyr, Mary, Myra, Ramy
  • Anav, Avan, Nava, Vana
  • Ansh, Hans, Nash, Shan
  • Araf, Arfa, Fara, Rafa
  • Arik, Kari, Kira, Rika
  • Aryn, Nyra, Rayn, Ryan
  • Ashe, Esha, Shae, Shea
  • Asma, Masa, Saam, Sama
  • Atem, Mate, Meta, Tema
  • Atli, Liat, Lita, Tali
  • Avel, Elva, Vale, Vela
  • Aven, Evan, Neva, Vena
  • Avid, Davi, Diva, Vida
  • Avik, Kavi, Kiva, Vika
  • Avyn, Navy, Vyan, Yvan
  • Ayon, Noya, Yoan, Yona
  • Azar, Azra, Raza, Zara
  • Baer, Bear, Brea, Reba
  • Bain, Bani, Bina, Iban
  • Caly, Clay, Cyla, Lacy
  • Daer, Drea, Raed, Reda
  • Edin, Deni, Enid, Iden
  • Ehan, Hena, Neah, Neha
  • Eino, Eion, Enio, Ione
  • Elah, Hale, Hela, Leah
  • Elyn, Nely, Nyel, Nyle
  • Emry, Mery, Myer, Remy
  • Erza, Ezra, Reza, Zera
  • Etan, Etna, Nate, Tena
  • Gian, Gina, Inga, Nagi
  • Hays, Shay, Shya, Yash
  • Hera, Reah, Reha, Rhea
  • Inez, Izen, Zein, Zeni
  • Isha, Shai, Shia, Siah
  • Jani, Jian, Jina, Naji
  • Kaly, Kayl, Klay, Kyla
  • Kory, Kroy, Kyro, York
  • Miro, Omir, Omri, Romi
  • Nita, Tani, Tian, Tina
  • Riot, Rito, Tori, Troi
  • Aban, Bana, Naba
  • Adis, Sadi, Said
  • Afsa, Asaf, Safa
  • Aime, Amei, Amie
  • Aine, Eian, Neia
  • Aino, Ioan, Iona
  • Aiva, Avia, Vaia
  • Aker, Arek, Kera
  • Akya, Ayak, Kaya
  • Alan, Lana, Nala
  • Albi, Bali, Liba
  • Aloe, Eloa, Olea
  • Alva, Lava, Vala
  • Alys, Asly, Syla
  • Alyx, Axyl, Xyla
  • Amaj, Jama, Maja
  • Ange, Egan, Gena
  • Anka, Kaan, Kana
  • Anan, Anna, Nana
  • Anas, Asan, Sana
  • Angy, Gyan, Yang
  • Anne, Enna, Nena
  • Anny, Nyna, Yann
  • Anuj, Juan, Juna
  • Anza, Azan, Zana
  • Areg, Grae, Rage
  • Aric, Cari, Cira
  • Arly, Lyra, Ryla
  • Aros, Rosa, Sora
  • Arpi, Pari, Pria
  • Arun, Nura, Runa
  • Arye, Raye, Reya
  • Asif, Safi, Saif
  • Asya, Aysa, Saya
  • Atom, Mato, Toma
  • Atzi, Itza, Zita
  • Aury, Ruya, Yura
  • Avey, Veya, Yeva
  • Avya, Ayva, Vaya
  • Axen, Xane, Xena
  • Ayaz, Ayza, Zaya
  • Azon, Ozan, Zona
  • Azul, Zaul, Zula
  • Cami, Maci, Mica
  • Ciro, Cori, Rico
  • Cleo, Cloe, Cole
  • Dave, Deva, Veda
  • Dezi, Ediz, Zeid
  • Dima, Imad, Madi
  • Dino, Dion, Odin
  • East, Esta, Tesa
  • Elen, Leen, Neel
  • Elek, Elke, Klee
  • Elio, Loie, Olie
  • Elky, Kely, Kyle
  • Ella, Lael, Lela
  • Elli, Liel, Lile
  • Elsa, Sael, Sela
  • Elta, Leta, Teal
  • Emre, Meer, Reem
  • Emya, Maye, Meya
  • Enas, Sean, Sena
  • Enos, Enso, Eson
  • Envi, Evin, Iven
  • Enzo, Zeno, Zeon
  • Eren, Neer, Rene
  • Erum, Meru, Umer
  • Erys, Ryse, Syre
  • Even, Neev, Neve
  • Ezio, Zoei, Zoie
  • Ezri, Zier, Zire
  • Gail, Gali, Gila
  • Ghia, Giah, Haig
  • Haji, Jahi, Jiah
  • Hiro, Iroh, Rohi
  • Imir, Imri, Miri
  • Iqra, Qari, Qira
  • Isom, Mosi, Somi
  • Izek, Zeik, Zeki
  • Jami, Maji, Mija
  • Jane, Jean, Jena
  • Jino, Jion, Joni
  • Kadi, Kaid, Kida
  • Kane, Kean, Kena
  • Kary, Kyra, Ryka
  • Kilo, Liko, Loki
  • Kino, Kion, Niko
  • Kleo, Kloe, Kole
  • Kmya, Kyam, Myka
  • Lavi, Vail, Vali
  • Leor, Lore, Roel
  • Lior, Lori, Orli
  • Lory, Orly, Rylo
  • Maev, Mave, Meva
  • Moti, Timo, Tomi
  • Omer, Remo, Rome
  • Oryn, Rony, Ryon
  • Sita, Tasi, Tisa
  • Tera, Trae, Trea
  • Thai, Thia, Tiah
  • Tino, Tion, Toni
  • Tory, Troy, Ryot
  • Xain, Xian, Xina
  • Ynez, Zeyn, Zyen
  • Aaro, Roaa
  • Abem, Meba
  • Abhi, Hiba
  • Acai, Caia
  • Acen, Cane
  • Acyn, Cyan
  • Adae, Adea
  • Adah, Ahad
  • Adam, Amad
  • Adau, Duaa
  • Aela, Alea
  • Aera, Raea
  • Aeva, Avea
  • Aide, Deia
  • Aika, Akia
  • Aimi, Miia
  • Aivy, Viya
  • Aixa, Xaia
  • Ajah, Haja
  • Ajai, Jaia
  • Ajit, Taji
  • Ajla, Jala
  • Ajay, Jaya
  • Akai, Kaia
  • Alix, Axil
  • Ally, Lyla
  • Aloy, Loay
  • Alta, Tala
  • Amos, Soma
  • Arav, Vara
  • Arha, Raha
  • Ario, Oria
  • Arka, Kara
  • Arla, Lara
  • Arli, Lira
  • Arth, Hart
  • Aryo, Roya
  • Arys, Syra
  • Arzu, Uraz
  • Ason, Sona
  • Atif, Tifa
  • Audy, Uday
  • Avah, Hava
  • Avee, Eeva
  • Avie, Evia
  • Avis, Savi
  • Aviv, Viva
  • Avon, Nova
  • Ayah, Haya
  • Ayat, Taya
  • Ayse, Eyas
  • Azad, Zada
  • Azal, Zala
  • Azam, Maaz
  • Aziz, Izza
  • Badr, Brad
  • Bane, Bena
  • Beni, Ebin
  • Bert, Bret
  • Bode, Obed
  • Boen, Ebon
  • Bray, Brya
  • Bree, Eber
  • Bruk, Burk
  • Cade, Dace
  • Cadi, Caid
  • Cain, Cian
  • Cali, Laci
  • Cary, Cyra
  • Cash, Chas
  • Chaz, Zach
  • Cire, Eric
  • Coen, Enoc
  • Clio, Loic
  • Dade, Edda
  • Dash, Shad
  • Dava, Vada
  • Deen, Eden
  • Deja, Jade
  • Deka, Kade
  • Demi, Diem
  • Deon, Oden
  • Dewa, Wade
  • Deya, Eyad
  • Dior, Dori
  • Dory, Rody
  • Duha, Huda
  • Eder, Reed
  • Edyn, Endy
  • Egon, Geno
  • Ehab, Heba
  • Eisa, Esai
  • Eiza, Ezai
  • Ekam, Meka
  • Eker, Kree
  • Elea, Leea
  • Elif, Leif
  • Elih, Lehi
  • Eliz, Izel
  • Elly, Lyle
  • Elom, Melo
  • Eloy, Yoel
  • Elvy, Levy
  • Emet, Mete
  • Emit, Temi
  • Emma, Mame
  • Enis, Ines
  • Envy, Evyn
  • Eros, Rose
  • Eryk, Kyre
  • Esmi, Siem
  • Etai, Teia
  • Etta, Tate
  • Ever, Veer
  • Evie, Ivee
  • Evon, Nevo
  • Faya, Yafa
  • Faiz, Fiza
  • Flor, Rolf
  • Gael, Gale
  • Galo, Olga
  • Gema, Mega
  • Gary, Gray
  • Halo, Loah
  • Hank, Khan
  • Haru, Ruah
  • Hedy, Hyde
  • Heir, Heri
  • Hiya, Iyah
  • Iain, Niia
  • Icon, Nico
  • Igor, Rigo
  • Iris, Siri
  • Irys, Syir
  • Itay, Tiya
  • Iver, Revi
  • Ives, Sevi
  • Ivey, Yvie
  • Ivin, Nivi
  • Ivon, Novi
  • Jady, Jayd
  • Jair, Jari
  • Jake, Kaje
  • Jara, Raja
  • Jasa, Saja
  • Jase, Saje
  • Jasi, Jsai
  • Jiro, Jori
  • Joan, Jona
  • Joas, Ojas
  • Joey, Joye
  • Kado, Koda
  • Kady, Kayd
  • Kalo, Koal
  • Kaos, Oaks
  • Karl, Lark
  • Kate, Teak
  • Kato, Kota
  • Kaye, Keya
  • Kayn, Kyan
  • Kayo, Koya
  • Kaze, Keza
  • Kemi, Mike
  • Keny, Kyne
  • Kiel, Kile
  • Kiko, Koki
  • Kimi, Miki
  • Kimo, Miko
  • Kiri, Riki
  • Kyon, Nyko
  • Lalo, Lola
  • Levi, Liev
  • Lilo, Olli
  • Liyu, Yuli
  • Lois, Soli
  • Loza, Zola
  • Lula, Ulla
  • Luma, Malu
  • Lura, Raul
  • Lyam, Myla
  • Lyon, Nylo
  • Lyza, Zyla
  • Macy, Myca
  • Maru, Umar
  • Maty, Taym
  • Mays, Samy
  • Maze, Zema
  • Mely, Myel
  • Miyu, Yumi
  • Mory, Romy
  • Nafi, Naif
  • Nino, Noni
  • Noah, Noha
  • Nona, Onna
  • Nour, Onur
  • Nyir, Ryin
  • Onix, Xion
  • Onyx, Xyon
  • Opal, Pola
  • Orry, Rory
  • Osha, Soha
  • Oslo, Solo
  • Pars, Sarp
  • Prue, Pure
  • Reva, Vera
  • Roah, Roha
  • Roza, Zora
  • Ryel, Ryle
  • Ryze, Zyer
  • Saed, Sade
  • Saul, Sula
  • Seva, Svea
  • Sevy, Yves
  • Sota, Taos
  • Taro, Tora
  • Tavi, Vita
  • Teah, Thea
  • Tony, Tyon
  • Tovi, Vito
  • Trey, Tyre
  • Vyla, Ylva
  • Wali, Wila
  • Xayn, Xyan
  • Yuan, Yuna
  • Zaid, Ziad
  • Zavi, Ziva
  • Zayd, Zyad
  • Zoah, Zoha

Which pairing/group do you like best? Let me know in the comments!

To see anagram names of other lengths, check out these lists of 3-letter anagram names, 5-letter anagram names, 6-letter anagram names, 7-letter anagram names, and 8-letter anagram names.

[Latest update: April 2023]

Happy baby names: Asher, Felicity, Isaac, Risa

sunflower

Here are some names with meanings that have to do with happiness:

  • Alaia – Basque for “joyful, happy.”
  • Asher – Hebrew for “happy, blessed.”
  • Bahija – Arabic for “happy, glad.”
  • Brosi (m) – from the Old Norse word brosa, meaning “to smile.”
  • Fariha – Arabic for “happy.”
  • Felix – Latin for “lucky, successful.”
  • Felicity – from the Latin word felicitas, meaning “good luck.”
  • Fortunato and Fortunata – from the Latin word for “fortunate.”
  • Giocondo and Gioconda – from a Latin name meaning “pleasant, delightful, happy.”
  • Hani – Arabic for “happy.”
  • Isaac – based on a Hebrew name meaning “he will laugh.”
  • Makena – Kikuyu for “happy one.”
  • Macario/Macarius – ultimately based on the Greek word makar, “blessed, happy.”
  • Parviz/Parvaiz – Persian for “fortunate, happy.”
  • Radek (m) and Rada (f) – from the Slavic element rad, meaning “happy, willing.”
  • Risa – Latin for “laugh.”
  • Sikkersoq – Greenlandic for “bud” or “sprout,” but it also means “burst out laughing.”
  • Teitur – from the Old Norse word teitr, meaning “cheerful, merry.”
  • Zelig/Selig – Yiddish for “blessed, happy.”

Which one do you like best?

Image: Adapted from Sunflower by tsaiproject under CC BY 2.0.