"honey, sweet"
Origin: Greek
Language: English
Melina
Pronunciation: [ m-ehl-EEN-uh ]
Girl Name
#633 Most Popular
Steady
3 Syllables
Sweet as honey, musical and timeless
Greek
Italian
Spanish
German
English
Classic
Elegant
Gentle
Sophisticated
Vintage
Meaning & Origin
"honey bee"
Origin: Greek
Language: Greek
The Story of Melina
Melina derives from the Greek word meli, meaning honey. The name is related to Melissa (bee, honey bee) and shares the same sweet root. In Greek mythology, the Meliae were nymphs of the ash trees who nourished the infant Zeus with honey. The name has been used across the Mediterranean for centuries, spreading north with the Roman Empire and remaining popular in Romance and German-speaking countries.
Melina has maintained quiet but consistent use across Europe and North America, never reaching blockbuster status but consistently appreciated for its musical quality and sweet meaning. The Greek actress and politician Melina Mercouri (1920-1994) gave it Mediterranean artistic glamour.
In Greece, Melina connects to both the mythological Meliae nymphs and to Melina Mercouri, the beloved actress who served as Greece's Minister of Culture and campaigned internationally for the return of the Elgin Marbles from the British Museum.
Fun Facts
- The word mead (honey wine) and the names Melina, Melissa, and Mellissa all share the same Greek root meli meaning honey
- Melina Mercouri (1920-1994) was the first woman to serve as Greece's Minister of Culture and an international advocate for cultural heritage repatriation
Melina in Other Languages
Greek
Melina
French
Melina
German
Melina
Italian
Melina
Spanish
Melina
Portuguese
Melina
Famous People Named Melina
M
Melina Perez
Athlete
1979
American professional wrestler, former WWE Women's and Divas Champion
M
Melina Mercouri
Actor
1920
Greek actress and politician, star of Never on Sunday (1960) and Greece's first female Minister of Culture
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #633
- Total SSA Count
- 466
- Cultural Origins
- Greek Italian Spanish German English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Mel
Melly
Lina
Pairs Well With
Melina Grace
Melina Rose
Melina Anne
Melina Sofia
Melina Claire
Sibling Names
Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Melina
What does the name Melina mean?
"honey, sweet" (from Greek). "honey bee" (from Greek). Melina derives from the Greek word meli, meaning honey. The name is related to Melissa (bee, honey bee) and shares the same sweet root. In Greek mythology, the Meliae were nymphs of the ash trees who nourished the infant Zeus with honey. The name has been used across the Mediterranean for centuries, spreading north with the Roman Empire and remaining popular in Romance and German-speaking countries.
What is the origin of the name Melina?
Melina has Greek, Italian, Spanish, German, and English origins. In Greek, it means "honey, sweet". In Greek, it means "honey bee".
Is Melina a boy or girl name?
Melina is primarily used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Melina?
Melina is pronounced m-ehl-EEN-uh.
How popular is the name Melina?
Melina is currently ranked #633 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Melina?
Common nicknames for Melina include Mel, Melly, and Lina.
What are good middle names for Melina?
Popular middle name pairings include Melina Grace, Melina Rose, Melina Anne, Melina Sofia, and Melina Claire.
What are good sibling names for Melina?
Names that pair well with Melina as siblings include Stella, Marco, Sophia, Alexander, and Cleo.
How many syllables does Melina have?
Melina has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Melina a common or rare name?
Melina is moderately common, ranked #633 for girls in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
About the Name Melina
Melina is a girl name with Greek, Italian, Spanish, German, and English origins . The name means "honey, sweet" in Greek .
Melina is currently ranked #633 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Melina has 3 syllables and is pronounced m-ehl-EEN-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Melina include Mel, Melly, and Lina. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Melina include Melissa, Melinda, Melia, Melisa . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.