Aliyah vs Melissa

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Aliyah

Girl #237 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"heavenly ascent, to rise"

Origin: Arabic

Cultural Roots

Muslim Jewish African American American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#237
Total SSA Count
1,311
Syllables
3
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Ali, Lia, Liya

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Aliyah →

Melissa

Girl #377 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"honey bee"

Origin: Ancient Greek

Cultural Roots

English Greek American Italian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#377
Total SSA Count
825
Syllables
3
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Mel, Lissy, Missy

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Melissa →

Popularity Comparison

Aliyah Rank #237
Melissa Rank #377

Aliyah is more popular, ranked #237 vs #377 for Melissa.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Aliyah ___

  • Aliyah Simone
  • Aliyah Renee
  • Aliyah Grace
  • Aliyah Jade
  • Aliyah Marie
  • Aliyah Noelle

Melissa ___

  • Melissa Ann
  • Melissa Marie
  • Melissa Grace
  • Melissa Joy
  • Melissa Kate
  • Melissa Renee

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Aliyah

Nadia Zara Leila Malik Kareem

If you choose Melissa

Jessica Jennifer Michelle Brian Kevin

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Aliyah or Melissa more popular?

Aliyah is more popular, ranked #237 compared to Melissa at #377 in the United States.

What do Aliyah and Melissa mean?

Aliyah means "heavenly ascent, to rise" (Arabic origin). Melissa means "honey bee" (Ancient Greek origin).

Are Aliyah and Melissa boy or girl names?

Aliyah is primarily a girl name. Melissa is primarily a girl name.

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← Full profile: Aliyah ← Full profile: Melissa Browse all baby names