"honey bee"
Origin: Ancient Greek
Language: Greek
Melissa
Pronunciation: [ m-uhl-IHS-uh ]
Does Melissa flow with your last name?
Sweet as honey — an eternal Greek classic
English
Greek
American
Italian
Classic
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Gentle
Playful
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"sweet one, related to honey"
Origin: Ancient Greek
Language: English
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The Story of Melissa
Melissa comes from the ancient Greek word melissa meaning honey bee. In Greek mythology, the Melissai were nymphs who discovered honey and nursed the infant Zeus with it in the cave on Mount Ida in Crete. The name appears in Edmund Spenser's epic poem The Faerie Queene (1590) and became popular in the English-speaking world during the 18th century, valued for its sweet natural imagery and musical sound.
Melissa was one of the most popular baby names in the US from the 1960s through the 1980s, ranking number one in 1979. Its decline mirrors the fade of the entire generation of boomer names like Jennifer, Heather, and Tiffany — now primed for vintage revival as those women's daughters reach naming age.
In ancient Greece, bees had sacred associations with Demeter and the oracle at Delphi. Priestesses of the oracle were sometimes called Melissai (bees). The name also appears prominently in Ariosto's Italian epic Orlando Furioso (1516), giving it a Renaissance literary connection that adds unexpected depth.
Historical Record
Melissa first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 753,691 babies have been named Melissa in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Melissa is past its peak , currently ranked #377 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Melissa means honey bee in Greek and was used as a title for priestesses at the Delphic oracle
- Melissa was the number one baby girl name in the US in 1979
- In Greek mythology, the Melissai were nymphs who discovered honey and fed it to the infant Zeus
Melissa in Other Languages
Greek
Melissa
French
Melissa
German
Melissa
Italian
Melissa
Spanish
Melissa
Portuguese
Melissa
Popularity Over Time
#377
Current Rank
Peaked 1977
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Melissa
M
Melissa McCarthy
Actor
1970
American comedian and actress known for Bridesmaids, Spy, and Mike and Molly, twice nominated for Academy Awards
M
Melissa McBride
Actor
1965
American actress known for portraying Carol Peletier in The Walking Dead
M
Melissa Etheridge
Musician
1961
Grammy and Oscar-winning American rock singer-songwriter known for Come to My Window
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #377
- Total SSA Count
- 825
- Cultural Origins
- English Greek American Italian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Mel
Lissy
Missy
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, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 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, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Melissa
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Melissa is also used as a boy name, ranked #29418.
View Melissa as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Melissa
What does the name Melissa mean?
"honey bee" (from Ancient Greek). "sweet one, related to honey" (from Ancient Greek). Melissa comes from the ancient Greek word melissa meaning honey bee. In Greek mythology, the Melissai were nymphs who discovered honey and nursed the infant Zeus with it in the cave on Mount Ida in Crete. The name appears in Edmund Spenser's epic poem The Faerie Queene (1590) and became popular in the English-speaking world during the 18th century, valued for its sweet natural imagery and musical sound.
What is the origin of the name Melissa?
Melissa has Ancient Greek, English, Greek, American, and Italian origins. In Ancient Greek, it means "honey bee". In Ancient Greek, it means "sweet one, related to honey".
Is Melissa a boy or girl name?
Melissa is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #377. As a boy name, it is ranked #29418. Melissa is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Melissa?
Melissa is pronounced m-uhl-IHS-uh.
How popular is the name Melissa?
Melissa is currently ranked #377 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Melissa?
Common nicknames for Melissa include Mel, Lissy, and Missy.
What are good middle names for Melissa?
Popular middle name pairings include Melissa Ann, Melissa Marie, Melissa Grace, Melissa Joy, Melissa Kate, Melissa Renee, and Melissa Lynn.
What are good sibling names for Melissa?
Names that pair well with Melissa as siblings include Jessica, Jennifer, Michelle, Brian, Kevin, Jason, and Heather.
How many syllables does Melissa have?
Melissa has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Melissa a common or rare name?
Melissa is a popular name, ranked #377 for girls. It is well-known without being overused.
What girl names are similar to Melissa?
About the Name Melissa
Melissa is a girl name with English, Greek, American, and Italian origins . The name means "honey bee" in Ancient Greek .
Is Melissa a boy or girl name? Melissa is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #377 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #29,418. Melissa is more commonly used as a girl name.
Melissa is currently ranked #377 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Melissa has 3 syllables and is pronounced m-uhl-IHS-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Melissa include Mel, Lissy, and Missy. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Melissa include Melina, Melinda, Melia, Melisa . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis