Nerissa????

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Registered: 08-20-2005
Nerissa????
5
Fri, 08-26-2005 - 9:50am
What do you think of the name Nerissa? It means a sea nymph and is greek/latin. That is all I know about it. Does anyone know how it ranks in popularity and if there is anything negative about it. I like it because it sounds like a combo of my DH and my name. Norberto and Melissa. How does it flow with siblings Jason, Mariah, Nicholas, and Riley? TIA.
Melissa edd 4/12/06
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Registered: 07-06-2005
Fri, 08-26-2005 - 10:28am

I adore Nerissa! It's a bit different than her siblings but not so different that she sticks out badly. It actually goes well with Mariah! I also know that Nerissa is a character in Shakespeare's "Merchant of Venice" and the SSA website says that Nerissa isn't even in the top 1000 names for any of the 125 years it's been tracking names. I went to the namevoyager site too and it's not on the charts there either. Nerissa's been on my collected favorite name list for years (because of Shakespeare) and I just love the sound of it as well as it's delicate looks.

I can't think of anything truly negative about it. Some folks might think that it's lack of popularity is a bad thing, but I think that's a serious plus!

Nerissa gets a thumbs up from me!

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-20-2005
Fri, 08-26-2005 - 10:42am
I have not read Merchant of Venice. What could you tell me about the character? That is all great info. Thanks so much. It really helps. It has been on my list since I was pg with my 1st. If he had been a girl I would probably have used it. Then it kind of got put aside and I forgot about it until my Mom mentioned that she liked it yesterday.
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-06-2005
Fri, 08-26-2005 - 10:49am

Nerissa's Portia's servant and they have several conversations throughout the play, if I recall correctly (It's been awhile since I've read it myself). I did a google search for Nerissa + Merchant of Venice and got this synopsis back:
www. online-literature.com / shakespeare / merchant (just take the spaces out and it should work)

You might want to at least take a peek at it, or even better, borrow a copy from the library and peruse it. It's one of Shakespeare's easier reads, If I remember rightly. (The Tempest is the other easiest read, for me)

I hope that helps some!

Edited 8/26/2005 10:56 am ET ET by lola-n-posie, trying to fix that stupid link!




Edited 8/26/2005 10:58 am ET ET by lola-n-posie
Avatar for haarlasr
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Fri, 08-26-2005 - 1:18pm

Hmm, I've never heard that one before. It's definitely pretty and a neat way to combine your names. My only concern with it is that she'd forever be saying, "No, not Marissa. Nerissa with an N." It's a little more unusual than her sibling's names, but I don't think it's too far out there.

Stephanie

Avatar for midwestmom2000
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Fri, 08-26-2005 - 2:31pm

I love Nerissa. It's been a favorite of mine for awhile. I actually know 2 Nerissa's. One is about 3 and the other would be in her 30s now.

I think it would fit fine with your other kids names.