Nerissa \n(e)-rissa, ner(is)-sa\ as a girl's name is of Italian origin, and the meaning of Nerissa is "black-haired". From Nericcia. Created by Shakespeare for the name of Portia's waiting woman in "The Merchant of Venice". Also possibly derived from Nereida (Spanish, Greek) "sea nymph" or a variant based on Marisa or Marissa.
Nerissa has 4 variant forms: Narissa, Naryssa, Nericcia and Neryssa.
For more information, see also the related name Nerine.