Melissa Name Meaning

What Does Melissa Mean?

The name Melissa derives from the Greek wordmélissa, meaning "bee," which was taken from the wordmeli,meaning "honey." It is, therefore, no surprise to learn that the name Melissa means "honeybee."

Parents (and some grandparents) may associate the name Melissa with their own childhoods; it was a top name back in the 60s, 70s, and 80s. But the name itself is timeless and where it's not as popular as the nameEmily, the name Melissa carries a similar, wholesome vibe. This may be why Melissa continues to be chosen by parents seeking a sweet, classic name for their baby.

How Popular is the Name Melissa?

The name Melissa has been a top 1000 name since it arrived on the charts in the early 1900s. In 1967, Melissa reached the top 10, at 9th position, and stayed there until 1984. Melissa's peak years for popularity were from 1977 to 1979 when it reached and maintained 2nd place.

After 1984, Melissa dropped into the top 100s where it remained until 2004. Since then, the name Melissa has continued to decline in popularity and is currently sitting at 348th.

Name Variations

There are some variations of the name Melissa, including:

• Malissa (Greek)
• Melisa (Greek)
• Melessa (Greek)
• Mélisse (French)
• Meliza (Greek)
• Mellisa (Greek)
• Melosa (Spanish)
  

Similar Names

Here are some names with a similar vibe to Melissa:

• Alyssa
• Amanda
• Andrea
• Angela
• Catherine
• Christine
• Elizabeth
• Emily
• Jennifer
  
• Kelly
• Kristen
• Leanne
• Lesley
• Michelle
• Nicole
• Sarah
• Stephanie
• Tara
  

Other Greek names to consider:

• Angelina
• Casandra
• Daphne
• Demi
• Iris
• Penelope
• Phoebe
• Khloe
• Lydia
• Lyra
• Lois
• Mya
• Sophia
• Thalia
• Thea
• Zoe
  

Other names that start with M:

• Mae
• Maeve
• Maggie
• Mallory
• Marla
• Marlene
• Maryam
• Marianne
• Megan
• Melanie
• Melina
• Monica
• Monique
• Mischa
• Mila
• Myla
  

Common Nicknames

Common nicknames for Melissa include:

• Lis
• Lisa
• Lissa
• Mel
• Mellie
• Melis
• Missy
  

Suggested Sibling Names

Potential sibling names for Melissa could be:

• Abe
• Aiden
• Annie
• Beatrix
• Corben
• Danny
• Dot
• Elias
• Faye
• Felix
• Georgia
• Hannah
• Katie
• Krista
• Kyle
• Zack
  

Famous People Named Melissa

Here’s a list of famous people who are also named Melissa:

• Melissa Altro, a Canadian voiceover artist
• Melissa Benoist, an American actress, singer, dancer, and activist
• Melissa Etheridge, an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and activist
• Melissa Fumero, an American actress
• Melissa Gilbert, an American actress and television director
• Melissa Hough, an American ballet dancer
• Melissa Joan Hart, an American actress
• Melissa Mantak, an American triathlete and triathlon coach
• Melissa Marquez, an American scientist specializing in sharks
• Melissa McBride, an American actress
• Melissa McCarthy, an American actress, comedian, writer, producer, and fashion designer
• Melissa Villasenor, an American actress, comedian, and singer