Melissa
Pronunciation: [ m-uhl-IHS-uh ]
Does Melissa flow with your last name?
A distinctive boy name with a rare, memorable quality.
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
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Meaning & Origin
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Browse nicknames →Historical Record
Melissa first appeared in US Social Security records in 1956.
Over 2,495 babies have been named Melissa in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Melissa is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #29,418 for boy names in the US .
Popularity Over Time
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Names You Might Also Love
See all →"kind, magnanimous"
"altar of heaven"
"modesty, proper behavior"
"hard and precious"
"red-haired, ruddy"
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Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Popularity Rank
- #29,418
- Total SSA Count
- 5
Nicknames
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Melissa is also used as a girl name, ranked #377.
View Melissa as a girl name →Similar Names
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Names You Might Also Like
View all →Arabic origin
"kind, magnanimous"
#29,596 in US
Latin ara + caeli origin
"altar of heaven"
#29,354 in US
Sanskrit origin
"modesty, proper behavior"
#29,533 in US
Latin ebenus origin
"hard and precious"
#29,527 in US
Old French roux from Latin russus origin
"red-haired, ruddy"
#29,294 in US
Old English origin
"Ford, river crossing"
#29,423 in US
Old High German origin
"ruler of the people"
#29,476 in US
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Frequently Asked Questions About Melissa
Is Melissa a boy or girl name?
How do you pronounce Melissa?
How popular is the name Melissa?
What are common nicknames for Melissa?
Is Melissa a common or rare name?
About the Name Melissa
Melissa is a boy name .
Is Melissa a boy or girl name? Melissa is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #29,418 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #377. Melissa is more commonly used as a girl name.
Melissa is currently ranked #29,418 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
Common nicknames for Melissa include Mel, Meli, Meliy, Meliie, Ssa, Ssay, Ssaie, Mey, Meie, and Melkins. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Keep Exploring
Recommended for Parents
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis