The nameMelissa
Melissa is a girl's name of Greek origin meaning "honeybee". It reached second place in the United States in the 1970s and 1980s.
- Girl's name
- Greek
Meaning
Melissa comes from the Greek melissa, "honeybee", from meli, "honey".
Origin
Greek. In mythology, Melissa is a nymph who fed the young Zeus with honey. Ariosto gave the name to a good fairy in Orlando Furioso.
History
Melissa entered the American top 10 in 1967 and reached second place. It was also popular in Britain.
Melissa in other languages
Mélissa is the French spelling of Melissa, used in English, Italian and German. It is Melisa in Spanish and Turkish. The Greek melissa means "bee".
Nicknames for Melissa
The most common nicknames for Melissa: Mel, Missy and Lissa.
Did you know?
- Melissa McCarthy was nominated for an Oscar for her role in Bridesmaids (2011).
Famous people named Melissa
- Melissa McCarthy, actress
- Melissa Etheridge, singer
- Melissa Benoist, actress
Popularity of the name Melissa
Melissa in the United States
Melissa was most popular in the United States in the 1970s, with 254,162 births over the decade, 33% of all recorded babies named Melissa. Its rise began around 1959, and it peaked in 1979. Half of all babies named Melissa in the United States were born before 1979, so it is mostly a parents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 823 births a year on average, against 1,149 in the five years before.
Melissa in the United Kingdom
Melissa was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2000s, with 6,576 births over the decade, 47% of all recorded babies named Melissa. Half of all babies named Melissa in the United Kingdom were born before 2004. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 179 births a year on average, against 231 in the five years before.
Melissa in Ireland
Melissa in France
Melissa in Belgium
Melissa in Switzerland
Melissa in Austria
Melissa in Norway
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Melissa
Names from the same generation as Melissa, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Melissa? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Melissa with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Melissa side by side with the name of your choice.
Melissa in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Melissa mean?
Melissa comes from the Greek melissa, "honeybee", from meli, "honey".
What is the origin of the name Melissa?
Greek. In mythology, Melissa is a nymph who fed the young Zeus with honey. Ariosto gave the name to a good fairy in Orlando Furioso.
Is Melissa a girl's or a boy's name?
Melissa is a girl's name.
How popular is the name Melissa?
In 2024, Melissa was the 376th most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 825 births.
What are the variants of the name Melissa?
Variants and related names of Melissa include Melisa and Mélissandre.
What are good sibling names for Melissa?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Alexandra, Angela, Catherine and Nicole for a sister, Stephen, Steven, Gregory and Nicholas for a brother.
What are common nicknames for Melissa?
The most common nicknames for Melissa are Mel, Missy and Lissa.
Who are famous people named Melissa?
Melissa McCarthy, actress; Melissa Etheridge, singer; Melissa Benoist, actress.