Clarissa
Clarissa is an elaboration of Clara, from the Latin "clarus" meaning bright or famous. The name appears to have originated in medieval Italy as a more elaborate form of the saint's name. There is a Saint Clarissa, an early follower of Saint Clare of Assisi. Clarissa was moderately popular in the 18th century and again in the late 20th century. The defining literary use is Samuel Richardson's novel "Clarissa" (1748), one of the longest novels in English literature and a foundational text of the psychological novel. The heroine, Clarissa Harlowe, is raped and dies — a tragic figure whose story helped shape the modern novel. I find Clarissa has an ornate quality — the doubled "s" gives it a slight lisp that the simpler Clara lacks. Clarissa Pinkola Estés (born 1945), the Jungian psychoanalyst, wrote "Women Who Run with the Wolves" (1992), one of the bestselling feminist books of the late 20th century. The name has been outside the US top 1000 since 2007 but retains a literary-romantic charge. Clarissa is a female name of Latin / Italian origin that means "Bright, famous (elaboration of Clara)". Ornate, literary, and a little romantic. The name sounds elaborate. Clarissas tend to be articulate. US outside top 1000 since 2007. More common in Italy. Well-known people named Clarissa include Clarissa Harlowe (Richardson novel), Clarissa Pinkola Estés (writer), Clarissa Dickson Wright (cook), Saint Clarissa (religious). Common variations and related forms of Clarissa include Clara (root), Claressa (variant), Clarisa (Spanish), Clarisse (French).