Meaning: Possibly sea nymph
The story
A name created by Shakespeare for The Merchant of Venice, perhaps from a Greek word for a sea nymph. The maritime interpretation is plausible, but the literary coinage is the firmer part of its history.
Nicknames
- Rissa
- Nessa
- Nera
On screen
Nerissa in The Merchant of Venice
Popularity
Rare gem
Rare in US records; use elsewhere may differ.
Style
Origins
Nerissa comes from Greek and English.
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