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Melissa Name Origin: Greek
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Pronunciation: mah-liss-ah
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See what 8 people think about Melissa
Melissa Name Meaning
The name Melissa is rooted in that sweet and hardworking spirit. It’s a name that connotes kindness, intelligence, and a strong work ethic. And it’s a name that’s been consistently popular over the years.
History of the Name Melissa
Melissa is a name of Greek origin, coming from the word “melissa” which means “bee.” In Greek mythology, Melissa was a nymph who helped raise Zeus and taught him the art of beekeeping. She was also the mother of the prophet Aristaeus, who was known for his skill in hunting, music, and the arts of divination and prophecy.
But Melissa isn’t just a mythological figure. The name was also used in ancient times as a title for women who were skilled in beekeeping. And let’s not forget the Melissa plant, a type of lemon balm known for its sweet, honey-like scent. So, the name Melissa has a long history of sweetness and hard work.
Popularity of the Name Melissa
In the United States, Melissa has been a popular name since the 1950s, reaching its peak in the 1970s and 1980s. In fact, it was the 14th most popular name for girls born in the United States in 1980. But it’s not just a name that’s popular in the United States, it’s also popular in countries such as Spain, Italy, and France.
A name that’s as sweet as honey and has been around for centuries, no wonder it still popular today.
Of course, every popular name has its share of nickname, and Melissa is no exception. Some popular nicknames for Melissa include Mel, Missy, Lisa, and even Mellie. But if you’re looking for something a little more creative, you could always go with Mel-Mel, Lissie, or Meli-Mel. Or you can be like the Greek goddess and just go with Melissa.
Famous Melissas
Melissa has also made appearances in pop culture over the years. From Melissa Joan Hart’s role as Sabrina Spellman in the 90s sitcom “Sabrina the Teenage Witch” to Melissa McCarthy’s comedic roles in films such as “Bridesmaids” and “The Heat,” the name Melissa has been represented on screen by strong, talented women.
Final Thoughts on the Name Melissa
The name Melissa is a sweet and timeless classic that has stood the test of time. With its roots in Greek mythology, Melissa has been a popular choice for parents for generations, known for its connotation of kindness, intelligence, and a strong work ethic. And let’s not forget the endless nicknames possibilities, from Mel to Mellie. So, if you’re looking for a name that’s both sweet and strong, Melissa might just be the perfect choice for your little girl.
Infographic of Melissa name meaning, which is Meaning bee, Melissa is also a character in Greek mythology.
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Melissa Name Popularity
How popular is the name Melissa? Here’s everything we know.
| Year |
Rank |
# Births |
% Births |
| 1910 |
— |
13 |
0.0037% |
| 1911 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1912 |
— |
5 |
0.001% |
| 1913 |
— |
10 |
0.0018% |
| 1914 |
— |
6 |
0.0009% |
| 1915 |
— |
23 |
0.0025% |
| 1916 |
— |
10 |
0.001% |
| 1917 |
— |
6 |
0.0006% |
| 1918 |
— |
25 |
0.0023% |
| 1919 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1920 |
— |
11 |
0.001% |
| 1921 |
— |
12 |
0.001% |
| 1922 |
— |
31 |
0.0028% |
| 1923 |
— |
6 |
0.0005% |
| 1924 |
— |
5 |
0.0004% |
| 1925 |
— |
7 |
0.0006% |
| 1926 |
— |
5 |
0.0005% |
| 1927 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1928 |
— |
5 |
0.0005% |
| 1929 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1930 |
— |
9 |
0.0009% |
| 1931 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1932 |
— |
12 |
0.0012% |
| 1933 |
— |
12 |
0.0013% |
| 1934 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1935 |
— |
21 |
0.0022% |
| 1936 |
— |
7 |
0.0007% |
| 1937 |
— |
40 |
0.0041% |
| 1938 |
— |
36 |
0.0035% |
| 1939 |
— |
65 |
0.0064% |
| 1940 |
— |
39 |
0.0037% |
| 1941 |
— |
74 |
0.0066% |
| 1942 |
— |
99 |
0.0078% |
| 1943 |
— |
133 |
0.0102% |
| 1944 |
— |
111 |
0.009% |
| 1945 |
— |
132 |
0.0108% |
| 1946 |
— |
157 |
0.0106% |
| 1947 |
— |
270 |
0.0162% |
| 1948 |
— |
563 |
0.0353% |
| 1949 |
— |
750 |
0.0466% |
| 1950 |
— |
952 |
0.0591% |
| 1951 |
— |
1,099 |
0.0648% |
| 1952 |
— |
1,413 |
0.0809% |
| 1953 |
— |
1,993 |
0.1126% |
| 1954 |
— |
2,047 |
0.112% |
| 1955 |
— |
2,400 |
0.1305% |
| 1956 |
— |
2,507 |
0.1327% |
| 1957 |
— |
2,756 |
0.1432% |
| 1958 |
— |
3,311 |
0.1752% |
| 1959 |
— |
3,620 |
0.1905% |
| 1960 |
— |
4,408 |
0.2326% |
| 1961 |
— |
4,903 |
0.2597% |
| 1962 |
— |
6,310 |
0.3437% |
| 1963 |
— |
7,320 |
0.4078% |
| 1964 |
— |
8,317 |
0.4725% |
| 1965 |
— |
10,565 |
0.6461% |
| 1966 |
— |
14,253 |
0.9129% |
| 1967 |
— |
18,380 |
1.2112% |
| 1968 |
— |
21,726 |
1.4469% |
| 1969 |
— |
23,022 |
1.4944% |
| 1970 |
— |
23,739 |
1.4917% |
| 1971 |
— |
23,870 |
1.5885% |
| 1972 |
— |
22,501 |
1.652% |
| 1973 |
— |
22,480 |
1.734% |
| 1974 |
— |
22,165 |
1.7053% |
| 1975 |
— |
24,167 |
1.8807% |
| 1976 |
— |
25,093 |
1.947% |
| 1977 |
— |
26,885 |
1.9945% |
| 1978 |
— |
28,330 |
2.1072% |
| 1979 |
— |
34,052 |
2.415% |
| 1980 |
— |
31,634 |
2.1636% |
| 1981 |
— |
28,000 |
1.9048% |
| 1982 |
— |
25,867 |
1.731% |
| 1983 |
— |
23,473 |
1.5907% |
| 1984 |
— |
21,889 |
1.4714% |
| 1985 |
— |
19,955 |
1.3147% |
| 1986 |
— |
17,664 |
1.1702% |
| 1987 |
— |
17,673 |
1.1581% |
| 1988 |
— |
16,544 |
1.0616% |
| 1989 |
— |
15,204 |
0.9422% |
| 1990 |
— |
13,996 |
0.8444% |
| 1991 |
— |
13,343 |
0.8186% |
| 1992 |
— |
11,711 |
0.7337% |
| 1993 |
— |
10,222 |
0.6557% |
| 1994 |
— |
8,798 |
0.5733% |
| 1995 |
— |
7,874 |
0.5225% |
| 1996 |
— |
7,169 |
0.4788% |
| 1997 |
— |
6,679 |
0.4516% |
| 1998 |
— |
5,350 |
0.3575% |
| 1999 |
— |
4,821 |
0.3219% |
| 2000 |
— |
4,523 |
0.2961% |
| 2001 |
— |
4,132 |
0.2742% |
| 2002 |
— |
3,758 |
0.2508% |
| 2003 |
— |
3,493 |
0.2296% |
| 2004 |
— |
3,311 |
0.2172% |
| 2005 |
— |
3,064 |
0.2004% |
| 2006 |
— |
2,880 |
0.1839% |
| 2007 |
— |
2,474 |
0.1568% |
| 2008 |
— |
2,497 |
0.1616% |
| 2009 |
— |
2,315 |
0.1549% |
| 2010 |
— |
1,930 |
0.1339% |
| 2011 |
— |
1,699 |
0.1193% |
| 2012 |
— |
1,746 |
0.1225% |
| 2013 |
— |
1,574 |
0.1106% |
| 2014 |
— |
1,474 |
0.1012% |
| 2015 |
— |
1,245 |
0.0856% |
| 2016 |
— |
1,209 |
0.0839% |
| 2017 |
— |
1,135 |
0.0813% |
| 2018 |
— |
1,087 |
0.0791% |
| 2019 |
— |
903 |
0.0667% |
| 2020 |
— |
845 |
0.0664% |
| 2021 |
— |
743 |
0.0608% |
| 2022 |
— |
789 |
0.0598% |
| 2023 |
— |
724 |
0.0559% |
District of Columbia (DC)
Data via SSA.gov.
Names Like Melissa
If you like Melissa, you’ll love these other names like Melissa.
What names are variants of Melissa?
Mix it up with these names that are a variation of the name Melissa.
| Name |
Meaning |
Origin |
Popularity |
Other Gender |
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Lisa
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A variant-diminutive of Elizabeth, “to the Lord I consecrate thee.”
|
Hebrew
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|
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Malissa
|
Bee; honey
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Greek
|
|
|
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Mallissa
|
Bee; honey
|
Greek
|
|
|
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Mel
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Smooth brow; black, dark-skinned; bee; honey; brave strength
|
Greek
|
|
|
|
Melesa
|
Bee; honey
|
Greek
|
|
|
|
Melessa
|
Bee; honey
|
Greek
|
|
|
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Melicent
|
Bee; honey; brave strength
|
Greek
|
|
|
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Melicia
|
Bee; honey
|
Greek
|
|
|
|
Melisa
|
Bee; honey
|
Greek
|
|
|
|
Melisanda
|
Bee; honey; brave strength
|
Greek
|
|
|
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Melisande
|
Animal strength
|
Greek
|
|
|
|
Melise
|
Bee; honey
|
Greek
|
|
|
|
Melisent
|
Bee; honey
|
Greek
|
|
|
|
Melisha
|
|
Modern
|
|
|
|
Melisse
|
Bee; honey
|
Greek
|
|
|
|
Melitta
|
Bee; honey; honey-sweet
|
Greek
|
|
|
|
Meliza
|
Bee; honey
|
Greek
|
|
|
|
Mellicent
|
Bee; honey; brave strength
|
Greek
|
|
|
|
Mellie
|
Black, dark-skinned; bee; honey; brave strength
|
Greek
|
|
|
|
Mellisa
|
Bee; honey
|
Greek
|
|
|
|
Melly
|
Black, dark-skinned; bee; honey; brave strength
|
Greek
|
|
|
|
Melosa
|
Bee; honey
|
Greek
|
|
|
|
Milli
|
Helper to the priest; bee; honey
|
Latin
|
|
|
|
Millicent
|
Brave strength
|
French
|
|
|
|
Millie
|
Gentle strength
|
English
|
|
|
|
Millisent
|
Bee; honey; brave strength
|
Greek
|
|
|
|
Millissent
|
Bee; honey
|
Greek
|
|
|
|
Milly
|
Industrious, striving; work; helper to the priest; rival; laborious; eager; bee; honey; gentle strength; brave strength
|
Latin
|
|
|
|
Missie
|
Bee; honey; brave strength
|
Greek
|
|
|
|
Missy
|
Diminutive of Melissa meaning bee; also an American nickname for a young woman
|
American, Greek
|
|
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What names sound like Melissa?
If you like how Melissa sounds, you might also like these names that sound like Melissa.
What names are similar to Melissa?
Find a name that’s like Melissa, but just a little bit different.
| Name |
Meaning |
Origin |
Popularity |
Other Gender |
|
Lissa
|
|
Greek
|
|
|
|
Mischa
|
Who is like God
|
Russian
|
|
|
Lists With Melissa
Find inspiration in these baby girl name lists featuring the name Melissa.
