Meaning: Its source is a Latin expression meaning "Brilliant."

Languages: This girl's name is used in English and Italian.

Nicknames: Clara, Clare and Classie

Alternative Spellings: Clairissa, Clarisa, Clarrisa, Clarrissa, Klarisa, Klarissa and Klarrisa

Variant Forms: Clairesa, Clairessa, Clarecia, Claresa, Claressa, Clarica, Clarissia and Clorissa

Non-English Forms: Klárisza

Popularity: The name Clarissa ranked 335th in popularity for females of all ages in a sample of 2000-2003 Social Security Administration statistics and 744th in popularity for females of all ages in a sample of the 1990 US Census.

Narrative: Brilliance is a recurring name idea, as shown in this name, Bertha, Helen, and a form of the Chinese name Ming.

The breadth of the idea can best be understood by studying the pictogram that represents the Chinese name. It shows the sun with the moon reflecting its light, and stands not only for brightness and clarity, but also for understanding, aptitude and fame.