The name Alyssa is a feminine given name primarily derived from the alyssum flower, whose Greek roots (a- meaning "not" and lyssa meaning "mania") reflect its historical use as a cure for skin diseases. It shares many variants with the name Alice, including Alisa and Alissa, and is also linked to the Middle Eastern name Elissa, after the legendary founder of Carthage. In the United States, Alyssa was a top-20 name from 2000 to 2009, but its popularity steadily declined, falling to 199th place by 2020. The name is borne by many notable figures across various fields, such as Australian cricketer Alyssa Healy, American drag queen Alyssa Edwards, and Alyssa Alhadeff, a victim of the 2018 Stoneman Douglas High School shooting. This rich history and diverse range of namesakes make Alyssa a name with both classical roots and modern cultural significance.