Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Melissa
GirlGreek· “honeybee”
- Meaning
- honeybee
- Origin
- Greek
- Pronunciation
- muh-LIS-uh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #420
- US babies 2025
- 747
- Best rank
- #2 (1977)
- Peak year
- 1979
Meaning and origin of Melissa
Melissa is a Greek name that means “honeybee”.
Melissa is the Greek word for honeybee. In Greek mythology, Melissa was a nymph said to have cared for the infant Zeus, sometimes feeding him honey, and the name was linked with priestesses of certain goddesses. Renaissance poets revived it; in Ariosto's epic Orlando Furioso, Melissa is a kindly sorceress. In the English-speaking world, Melissa became hugely popular during the late twentieth century and remains a familiar, friendly classic. Mel, Missy and Lissa are common nicknames. The honeybee meaning gives the name a sweet, industrious charm.
Popularity over time
Melissa has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 136 different years. Its best national rank was #2 in 1977, and the most babies received it in 1979, when 34,050 were named Melissa. In 2025, 747 babies were named Melissa, and it ranked #420 nationally. That is 42% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #956 in 1920, #240 in 1950, #4 in 1980, #71 in 2000, #156 in 2010, and #420 in 2025. Of the 760,128 US girls named Melissa since records began, 33% were born in the 1970s, its biggest decade. The 1980s come next, with 217,922 babies. Since 2010, 19,135 more have been named Melissa.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include April.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Melissa ranked highest in Massachusetts, California, and Nevada.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | #188 | 30 |
| California | #208 | 160 |
| Nevada | #226 | 12 |
| Connecticut | #313 | 10 |
| Washington | #326 | 23 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Melissa is usually pronounced muh-LIS-uh, with three syllables. It has seven letters, starts with M and ends in “-sa”.
Middle names for Melissa
A few middle names that flow with Melissa: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Melissa
Similar names
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tuh-REE-suh
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suh-LEE-nuh
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kuh-SAN-druh
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luh-RIH-suh
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muh-LEE-suh
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Alyssa Girl
uh-LIS-uh
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Vanessa Girl
vuh-NEH-suh
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Athena Girl
uh-THEE-nuh
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Cynthia Girl
SIHN-thee-uh
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Helena Girl
HEH-luh-nuh
“uncertain; possibly torch or light” · Greek
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Kassandra Girl
kuh-SAN-druh
Greek
#1,177
Lists that include Melissa
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Melissa mean?
Melissa is a Greek name that means “honeybee”.
What is the origin of the name Melissa?
Melissa has Greek roots. Melissa is the Greek word for honeybee.
Is Melissa a popular name?
Yes. Melissa ranked #420 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Melissa a boy or girl name?
Melissa is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Melissa?
Melissa is usually pronounced muh-LIS-uh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings