Melissa
Melissa Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity
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Meaning of Melissa: The name Melissa derives from the ancient Greek melissa, meaning "honey bee." The word appears in classical Greek texts as both a common noun and a personal name, reflecting the bee's sacred status in ancient religious culture, where bees were associated with priestesses of Demeter and Artemis.
In Greek mythology, Melissa was a nymph who discovered honey and nurtured the infant Zeus on Crete. The name also appeared as a title for bee-priestesses at the oracle of Delphi and the temple of Artemis at Ephesus, giving it deep connections to ancient Greek religious practice.
Melissa entered English naming during the 17th and 18th centuries, carried in part by literary tradition. The Italian poet Ariosto used the name for a wise enchantress in his 1532 epic Orlando Furioso, and later authors kept the name in literary circulation through the 19th century.
What Does Melissa Mean? Origin & Etymology
According to SSA records, Melissa ranked among the top 5 girl names in the United States during the late 1960s and 1970s, driven by a broader fashion for Greek-origin names. The name declined steadily from the 1980s onward as its generational association strengthened.
As of 2024, SSA figures show Melissa ranked #378 for girls, with 825 births recorded. The name sits in the category of 1970s classics that have cycled through decline and now attract parents drawn to vintage choices with documented ancient roots.
How Popular Is Melissa?
Numerology & Symbolism of Melissa
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Melissa – Similar Names & Alternatives
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Frequently Asked Questions about Melissa
What does the name Melissa mean?
The name Melissa originates in ancient Greek. Greek names frequently encoded concepts from mythology, philosophy, or the natural world, and many were preserved through the New Testament and early Christian tradition.
How popular is the name Melissa in the United States?
According to SSA records, Melissa ranked #378 for girl names in the United States, with 825 births recorded in the most recent annual count. The name hit its highest SSA rank in 2024. It has held a consistent place in US naming statistics across multiple decades.
Where does the name Melissa come from?
The name Melissa comes from Greek. It entered English use through the linguistic and cultural channels typical of Greek-origin names—whether through religious texts, migration, or the prestige associated with classical learning. Today it is recognized as a girl’s name across the English-speaking world.