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Elissa

Girl name · 88 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Elissa: 88 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 9 births in 2015.

Elissa is a name with ancient and elegant roots, most commonly considered a variant of the Greek name Elisa, itself a short form of Elizabeth, meaning "God is my oath" in Hebrew. However, its most famous bearer belongs to the ancient world: Elissa is the Phoenician name of Dido, the legendary founder and first queen of Carthage, whose tragic love story with Aeneas was immortalised by Virgil in the *Aeneid*. This gives the name a powerful, regal air linked to North Africa and the Mediterranean. A lesser-known place connection lies in her legacy, as the city of Carthage itself was named from the Phoenician *Qart-ḥadašt*, meaning "New City". Intriguingly, the name Elissa is sometimes also seen as a spelling variation of Alyssa, though its historical weight is far more ancient and distinguished.