Melissa
muh-LIH-suh
Melissa comes from the Greek melissa, meaning “honeybee.” In Greek mythology, Melissa was a nymph who discovered how to collect honey and fed it to the infant Zeus.
The name appeared sporadically in English from the 18th century but did not gain mass popularity until the 1960s. It then surged with remarkable speed.
Melissa ranked No. 378 in 2024 with 825 births. It peaked at an extraordinary No. 2 in 1977 with 26,880 births, making it one of the defining names of its generation.
What the name Melissa means
Singer Melissa Manchester and the Allman Brothers’ song “Melissa” (1972) both contributed to its rise. Actress Melissa Joan Hart later kept the name visible.
Three syllables - meh-LIS-uh - are smooth and familiar. The name has a gentle, approachable quality that made it universally appealing in its peak years.
After decades of high usage, Melissa has settled into a quiet middle zone. Parents choosing it now embrace its classical Greek meaning and its reassuring familiarity.
The related herb Melissa officinalis (lemon balm) shares the name. Variants include the French Mélisse and the Italian Melisa.
US popularity over time
Numerology and symbolism
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Famous people named Melissa
Melissa - similar names
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