Melissa Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated July 9, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Melissa Name Meaning

Fact: The name Melissa is also associated with a genus of flowering plants in the mint family, known for their sweet, lemony scent.

Continue Reading…
A Deep Dive

Melissa Overview

Meaning

Honeybee

Gender

Girl

Origin

Greek

Etymology

Derived from the Greek word “mélissa,” meaning “bee.”​

Pronunciation

/məˈlɪsə/

Popularity

Melissa is a well-known name globally, especially in English-speaking and European countries. In the USA, it ranked 409th for girls in 2023​

Syllable

3 syllables

Length

7 letters

Numerology

6 (Nurturing, Responsible, Balanced)

Name Styles

Classic, Nature-inspired, Traditional

Associated Traits

Elegant, nurturing, timeless, creative

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

In Greek mythology, Melissa was a nymph who nursed the infant Zeus with honey​

Name Day

September 10th (Greece)​
A Deep Dive

Melissa Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Melisandre, Melina, Melinda, Marisa, Malissa, Melisa

Common Nicknames

Mel, Lissy, Lisa, Missy, Mimi

Diminutives

Meli, Lissa, Melly, Missa, Lis

Famous People

  • Melissa McCarthy
    (American Actress)
  • Melissa Mathison
    (American Screenwriter)
  • Melissa Joan Hart
    (American Actress)
  • Melissa Hayden
    (Canadian American Ballerina)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Melissa Hastings
    ("Pretty Little Liars," TV Series)
  • Melissa McCall
    ("Teen Wolf," TV Series)
  • Melissa Gold
    ("Marvel Comics," Comic Series)

Places

  • Melissa City
    (Texas, USA)

What Is the Meaning of Melissa?

Melissa means “honeybee” and carries connotations of sweetness and industriousness. People named Melissa are often viewed as diligent, charming, and warm-hearted.

What Is the Origin of The Name Melissa?

Melissa has Greek origins, derived from the word “μέλισσα” (mélissa), meaning “bee.” The name is rooted in ancient mythology, where Melissa was a nymph who discovered and taught the use of honey.

Melissa Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Melissa in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#3722021#3782022#4092023
Top 3 Rankings#21977#21978#21979

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Melissa

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
2023409
(-31 from 2022)
742
(-81 from 2022)
0.04242
2022378
(-6 from 2021)
823
(-12 from 2021)
0.04590
2021372
(-23 from 2020)
835
(-52 from 2020)
0.04661
2020349
(-9 from 2019)
887
(-46 from 2019)
0.05018
2019340
(-41 from 2018)
933
(-184 from 2018)
0.05085
2018299
(-24 from 2017)
1117
(-52 from 2017)
0.06006
2017275
(-16 from 2016)
1169
(-67 from 2016)
0.06188
2016259
(-6 from 2015)
1236
(-47 from 2015)
0.06385
2015253
(-29 from 2014)
1283
(-226 from 2014)
0.06577
2014224
(-22 from 2013)
1509
(-83 from 2013)
0.07713
2013202
(-24 from 2012)
1592
(-180 from 2012)
0.08259
2012178
(+6 from 2011)
1772
(+63 from 2011)
0.09137
2011184
(-28 from 2010)
1709
(-242 from 2010)
0.08820
2010156
(-19 from 2009)
1951
(-386 from 2009)
0.09951
2009137
(-3 from 2008)
2337
(-180 from 2008)
0.11540
2008134
(+3 from 2007)
2517
(+12 from 2007)
0.12084
2007137
(-20 from 2006)
2505
(-388 from 2006)
0.11836
2006117
(-13 from 2005)
2893
(-191 from 2005)
0.13839
2005104
(-6 from 2004)
3084
(-254 from 2004)
0.15195
200498
(-2 from 2003)
3338
(-163 from 2003)
0.16543
200396
(-16 from 2002)
3501
(-268 from 2002)
0.17449
200280
(-6 from 2001)
3769
(-376 from 2001)
0.19083
200174
(-3 from 2000)
4145
(-387 from 2000)
0.20924
200071
(-7 from 1999)
4532
(-298 from 1999)
0.22708
199964
(-5 from 1998)
4830
(-524 from 1998)
0.24810
199859
(-15 from 1997)
5354
(-1325 from 1997)
0.27619
199744
(-2 from 1996)
6679
(-491 from 1996)
0.34982
199642
(-7 from 1995)
7170
(-708 from 1995)
0.37398
199535
(-4 from 1994)
7878
(-918 from 1994)
0.40998
199431
(-1 from 1993)
8796
(-1428 from 1993)
0.45122
199330
(-6 from 1992)
10224
(-1486 from 1992)
0.51858
199224
(-4 from 1991)
11710
(-1637 from 1991)
0.58413
199120
No change from 1990
13347
(-650 from 1990)
0.65638
199020
(-1 from 1989)
13997
(-1207 from 1989)
0.68132
198919
(-3 from 1988)
15204
(-1339 from 1988)
0.76318
198816
(-3 from 1987)
16543
(-1132 from 1987)
0.86022
198713
(-1 from 1986)
17675
(+8 from 1986)
0.94306
198612
(-1 from 1985)
17667
(-2296 from 1985)
0.95731
198511
(-3 from 1984)
19963
(-1933 from 1984)
1.08123
19848
(-2 from 1983)
21896
(-1578 from 1983)
1.21421
19836
(-1 from 1982)
23474
(-2393 from 1982)
1.31164
19825
No change from 1981
25867
(-2138 from 1981)
1.42574
19815
(-1 from 1980)
28005
(-3630 from 1980)
1.56583
19804
(-2 from 1979)
31635
(-2415 from 1979)
1.77660
19792
No change from 1978
34050
(+5725 from 1978)
1.97589
19782
No change from 1977
28325
(+1445 from 1977)
1.72304
19772
(+1 from 1976)
26880
(+1786 from 1976)
1.63404
19763
(+1 from 1975)
25094
(+927 from 1975)
1.59642
19754
(+3 from 1974)
24167
(+2000 from 1974)
1.54831
19747
(-1 from 1973)
22167
(-312 from 1973)
1.41529
19736
(+1 from 1972)
22479
(-19 from 1972)
1.44643
19727
No change from 1971
22498
(-1374 from 1971)
1.39518
19717
No change from 1970
23872
(+139 from 1970)
1.36209
19707
(-2 from 1969)
23733
(+712 from 1969)
1.29557
19695
No change from 1968
23021
(+1292 from 1968)
1.30598
19685
(+4 from 1967)
21729
(+3352 from 1967)
1.27094
19679
(+13 from 1966)
18377
(+4125 from 1966)
1.07040
196622
(+16 from 1965)
14252
(+3687 from 1965)
0.81172
196538
(+15 from 1964)
10565
(+2247 from 1964)
0.57812
196453
(+8 from 1963)
8318
(+999 from 1963)
0.42496
196361
(+7 from 1962)
7319
(+1012 from 1962)
0.36814
196268
(+27 from 1961)
6307
(+1406 from 1961)
0.31117
196195
(+14 from 1960)
4901
(+486 from 1960)
0.23595
1960109
(+18 from 1959)
4415
(+790 from 1959)
0.21229
1959127
(+3 from 1958)
3625
(+300 from 1958)
0.17440
1958130
(+17 from 1957)
3325
(+544 from 1957)
0.16096
1957147
(+3 from 1956)
2781
(+255 from 1956)
0.13255
1956150
(-1 from 1955)
2526
(+110 from 1955)
0.12265
1955149
(+21 from 1954)
2416
(+354 from 1954)
0.12050
1954170
(-7 from 1953)
2062
(+55 from 1953)
0.10357
1953163
(+38 from 1952)
2007
(+565 from 1952)
0.10402
1952201
(+28 from 1951)
1442
(+313 from 1951)
0.07582
1951229
(+11 from 1950)
1129
(+149 from 1950)
0.06112
1950240
(+36 from 1949)
980
(+201 from 1949)
0.05573
1949276
(+40 from 1948)
779
(+179 from 1948)
0.04437
1948316
(+144 from 1947)
600
(+281 from 1947)
0.03443
1947460
(+106 from 1946)
319
(+121 from 1946)
0.01755
1946566
(-34 from 1945)
198
(+12 from 1945)
0.01228
1945532
(+10 from 1944)
186
(+9 from 1944)
0.01382
1944542
(+3 from 1943)
177
(-12 from 1943)
0.01295
1943545
(+54 from 1942)
189
(+35 from 1942)
0.01317
1942599
(-7 from 1941)
154
(+13 from 1941)
0.01108
1941592
(+122 from 1940)
141
(+46 from 1940)
0.01132
1940714
(-86 from 1939)
95
(-21 from 1939)
0.00804
1939628
(+121 from 1938)
116
(+31 from 1938)
0.01023
1938749
(-32 from 1937)
85
(-5 from 1937)
0.00745
1937717
(+192 from 1936)
90
(+34 from 1936)
0.00817
1936909
(-43 from 1935)
56
(-7 from 1935)
0.00520
1935866
(+196 from 1934)
63
(+20 from 1934)
0.00580
19341062
(-105 from 1933)
43
(-8 from 1933)
0.00397
1933957
(-66 from 1932)
51
(-11 from 1932)
0.00488
1932891
(+183 from 1931)
62
(+19 from 1931)
0.00560
19311074
(-103 from 1930)
43
(-14 from 1930)
0.00390
1930971
(+166 from 1929)
57
(+15 from 1929)
0.00489
19291137
(+26 from 1928)
42
(-1 from 1928)
0.00363
19281163
(-2 from 1927)
43
(-1 from 1927)
0.00360
19271161
(-46 from 1926)
44
(-2 from 1926)
0.00356
19261115
(-107 from 1925)
46
(-9 from 1925)
0.00374
19251008
(+61 from 1924)
55
(+2 from 1924)
0.00435
19241069
(+7 from 1923)
53
(+3 from 1923)
0.00409
19231076
(-188 from 1922)
50
(-18 from 1922)
0.00399
1922888
(+26 from 1921)
68
(+2 from 1921)
0.00545
1921914
(+35 from 1920)
66
(+7 from 1920)
0.00516
1920949
(+77 from 1919)
59
(+10 from 1919)
0.00474
19191026
(-126 from 1918)
49
(-14 from 1918)
0.00417
1918900
(+45 from 1917)
63
(+9 from 1917)
0.00524
1917945
(-97 from 1916)
54
(-10 from 1916)
0.00481
1916848
(-46 from 1915)
64
(-3 from 1915)
0.00589
1915802
No change from 1914
67
(+15 from 1914)
0.00654
1914802
(-35 from 1913)
52
(+5 from 1913)
0.00653
1913767
(+3 from 1912)
47
(+5 from 1912)
0.00718
1912770
(+7 from 1911)
42
(+11 from 1911)
0.00716
1911777
(-167 from 1910)
31
(-16 from 1910)
0.00702
1910610
(+81 from 1909)
47
(+14 from 1909)
0.01120
1909691
(+51 from 1908)
33
(+6 from 1908)
0.00897
1908742
(-141 from 1907)
27
(-11 from 1907)
0.00762
1907601
(+175 from 1906)
38
(+16 from 1906)
0.01126
1906776
(-134 from 1905)
22
(-8 from 1905)
0.00702
1905642
(+68 from 1904)
30
(+6 from 1904)
0.00968
1904710
(-161 from 1903)
24
(-11 from 1903)
0.00821
1903549
(-47 from 1902)
35
(-5 from 1902)
0.01258
1902502
(+18 from 1901)
40
(+6 from 1901)
0.01427
1901520
(+11 from 1900)
34
(-6 from 1900)
0.01337
1900531
(-107 from 1899)
40
(-7 from 1899)
0.01259
1899424
(+103 from 1898)
47
(+12 from 1898)
0.01899
1898527
(-36 from 1897)
35
No change from 1897
0.01277
1897491
(+62 from 1896)
35
(+5 from 1896)
0.01410
1896553
(-113 from 1895)
30
(-11 from 1895)
0.01191
1895440
(-50 from 1894)
41
(-11 from 1894)
0.01659
1894390
(-20 from 1893)
52
(-1 from 1893)
0.02204
1893370
(+95 from 1892)
53
(+19 from 1892)
0.02353
1892465
(+6 from 1891)
34
(+4 from 1891)
0.01512
1891471
(-87 from 1890)
30
(-12 from 1890)
0.01526
1890384
(-31 from 1889)
42
(-4 from 1889)
0.02083
1889353
(+27 from 1888)
46
(+6 from 1888)
0.02431
1888380
(-13 from 1887)
40
(+6 from 1887)
0.02111
1887367
(-93 from 1886)
34
(-24 from 1886)
0.02188
1886274
(+22 from 1885)
58
(+13 from 1885)
0.03773
1885296
(-19 from 1884)
45
(-3 from 1884)
0.03170
1884277
(-3 from 1883)
48
(+6 from 1883)
0.03489
1883274
(-3 from 1882)
42
(+1 from 1882)
0.03498
1882271
(-20 from 1881)
41
(+1 from 1881)
0.03544
1881251
(+20 from 1880)
40
(+7 from 1880)
0.04046
1880271
First SSA data recorded
33
First SSA data recorded
0.03381

American States Popularity Rankings for Melissa

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#1972021#2032022#2322023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#2732021#3232022#3512023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#3782021#5322022#4522023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#6492021#5482022#3992023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#14012021#6842022#6272023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#3242021#3362022#3632023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#3102021#2392022#3422023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#5452021#6882022#7272023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#2852021#2912022#6642023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#3862021#5172022#6772023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#2372021#2272022#3182023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#5722021#4582022#6222023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#6642021#4452022#5292023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#3682021#4912022#5642023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#7292021#6352022#6432023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#5412021#7412022#5252023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#7132021#3942022#4392023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#8062020#2552021#3762023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#6152021#4282022#5282023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#6262019#5022020#9382023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#2852021#2942022#2492023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#2932021#5022022#3992023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#3692021#3672022#3322023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#3642021#3032022#5942023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#4742021#6442022#6042023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#5582021#6462022#5512023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#3782020#5942021#4562023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#8012021#5192022#4122023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#6142021#6142022#7442023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#3372002#2382006#3772009

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#6202021#4452022#3512023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#6522021#5792022#4782023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#4442013#4702016#4442022

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#3642021#5112022#7362023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#4722019#4742021#5362023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#3422016#3582017#3962022

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#1952017#2102018#3872019

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#1311999#1102000#2422002

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#1832009#1382010#2162011

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#1062003#2592005#2422009

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#5922021#2752022#4092023

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#4242015#3582017#2872018

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#1011997#1451998#1842006

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#2502011#892012#1212014

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#1042003#1092004#2562010

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#1332003#1902005#2302006

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#2192003#2322007#2412013

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#2162008#1172011#1712013

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#1201996#1221997#1241998

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#1682007#1662010#1772011

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#1021999#1142000#1082003

Popularity Rankings for Melissa in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Mexico

Mexico flagMexico#192020#232021

Popularity in Italy

Italy flagItaly#422018#452019#492020

Popularity in Slovakia

Slovakia flagSlovakia#462023

Popularity in Portugal

Portugal flagPortugal#972018#472019#492020

Popularity in Austria

Austria flagAustria#652020#742021#852022

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW) flagAustralia (NSW)#681998#791999#922000

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#752020#1002021#842022

Popularity in Russia (Moscow)

Russia (Moscow) flagRussia (Moscow)#992022#902023#832024

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden flagSweden#872021#892022#892023

Popularity in France

France flagFrance#1432010#1062011#1552012

Popularity in Germany

Germany flagGermany#1092021#1112022#1112023

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#1602021#1642022#2022023

Popularity in Belgium

Belgium flagBelgium#1952004#1952005#1752019

Popularity in Norway

Norway flagNorway#1862021#1892022#2342023

Popularity in Chile

Chile flagChile#1912017#1992018#1952021

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#2442021#2162022#2032023

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#2232021#2662022#3282023

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico flagPuerto Rico#2232004#2452005#3622006

Popularity in Iceland

Iceland flagIceland#2302021#2972022

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#2832019#2372020#2542021

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#4002016#3472019#2682020

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#4712020#3242022#3652023

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#3572021#3702022#6002023

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#4392020#3682021#4652022

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Melissa a Name for Boys or Girls?

Melissa is conventionally a female name, chosen for its soft, melodic sound. It has strong historical ties to femininity, making it a popular choice for baby girls.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Melissa

Melissa in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Melissa McCarthy (Actress, born 1970): An American actress and comedian famous for her roles in "Bridesmaids" and "Spy."
  • Melissa Mathison (Screenwriter, 1950–2015): An American screenwriter who wrote the screenplay for "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial."
  • Melissa Joan Hart (Actress, born 1976): An American actress who starred in the TV series "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" and "Clarissa Explains It All."
  • Melissa Hayden (Ballerina, 1923–2006): A Canadian-born American ballerina celebrated for her performances with the New York City Ballet.
  • Melissa Etheridge (Singer, born 1961): An American rock singer-songwriter and activist with multiple Grammy Awards.
  • Melissa Benoist (Actress, born 1988): An American actress known for her role as Supergirl in the TV series "Supergirl."
  • Melissa George (Actress, born 1976): An Australian actress recognized for her roles in "Alias" and "The Good Wife."
  • Melissa Hastings ("Pretty Little Liars," 2010 TV Series): A complex character involved in the mystery and intrigue of Rosewood.
  • Melissa McCall ("Teen Wolf," 2011 TV Series): A dedicated nurse and mother who helps her son navigate the supernatural world.
  • Melissa Gold ("Marvel Comics," 1976 Comic Series): A superhero also known as Songbird, with the power of sonic screams.
  • Melissa Scully ("The X-Files," 1993 TV Series): Dana Scully's sister who plays a pivotal role in several episodes.
  • Melissa Lewis ("The Martian," 2015 Film): The commander of the Ares III mission who works to bring astronaut Mark Watney home.
  • "Melissa" (1983 Song by The Allman Brothers Band): A classic rock song that became one of the band's signature hits.
  • Melissa City (Texas, USA): A rapidly growing city in Collin County, north of Dallas.
  • Melissa Court (California, USA): A residential street in the city of Bakersfield.
  • Melissa Creek (Queensland, Australia): A creek in the Fitzroy Basin region of Queensland.
  • Melissa Drive (Ontario, Canada): A residential street in the city of Ottawa.
  • Melissa Gorge (Crete, Greece): A scenic gorge located near the village of Pitsidia.
  • Melissa Park (California, USA): A small community park located in Fremont.
  • Melissa River (Western Australia, Australia): A river flowing through the Kimberley region.

Similar Names to Melissa