Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Mellisa
GirlGreek· “variant of Melissa, honeybee”
- Meaning
- variant of Melissa, honeybee
- Origin
- Greek
- Pronunciation
- muh-LIH-suh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- Unranked
- US babies 2025
- 0
- Best rank
- #740 (1979)
- Peak year
- 1979
Meaning and origin of Mellisa
Mellisa is a Greek name that means “variant of Melissa, honeybee”.
Mellisa is a spelling of Melissa, the Greek word for honeybee. In Greek myth, Melissa was a nymph who helped care for the infant Zeus. The name was used in the Renaissance and became very popular in the English-speaking world in the late twentieth century. It is said muh-LIH-suh. Mel and Lissa are easy nicknames. The name has a sweet, natural association. Mellisa doubles the l and keeps a single s.
Popularity over time
Mellisa first appears in US Social Security records in 1952. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 15 different years, starting in 1969. Its best national rank was #740 in 1979, the same year it reached its highest count of 221 babies. It did not appear in the 2025 data, which only lists names given to at least five babies.
Its national rank moved from #804 in 1980, #3,784 in 2000, and #18,920 in 2010. Of the 4,575 US girls named Mellisa since records began, 34% were born in the 1970s, its biggest decade. The 1980s come next, with 1,539 babies. Since 2010, 38 more have been named Mellisa.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Charissa, Shara, Shasta, Kylene, and Nakisha.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Mellisa is usually pronounced muh-LIH-suh, with three syllables. It has seven letters, starts with M and ends in “-sa”.
Middle names for Mellisa
A few middle names that flow with Mellisa: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Mellisa
Similar names
Melissa Girl
muh-LIS-uh
“honeybee” · Greek
#420
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tuh-REE-suh
“uncertain; possibly harvester” · Spanish
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Larissa Girl
luh-RIH-suh
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Theresa Girl
tuh-REE-suh
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Melisa Girl
muh-LEE-suh
“honeybee” · Greek
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Odessa Girl
oh-DEH-suh
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Alyssa Girl
uh-LIS-uh
“form of Alice; also alyssum flower” · English
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Vanessa Girl
vuh-NEH-suh
“invented by Jonathan Swift” · English
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Marissa Girl
muh-RIH-suh
“elaboration of Maria; linked to the sea” · English
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Alissa Girl
uh-LIH-suh
“form of Alice or Alyssa” · English
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Alisa Girl
uh-LEE-suh
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Anissa Girl
uh-NEE-suh
“uncertain; possibly from Anisa, friendly companion” · Arabic
#3,071
Lists that include Mellisa
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Mellisa mean?
Mellisa is a Greek name that means “variant of Melissa, honeybee”.
What is the origin of the name Mellisa?
Mellisa has Greek roots. Mellisa is a spelling of Melissa, the Greek word for honeybee.
Is Mellisa a popular name?
No. Mellisa was not recorded for five or more babies of its most common sex in 2025, so it is rare today.
Is Mellisa a boy or girl name?
Mellisa is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Mellisa?
Mellisa is usually pronounced muh-LIH-suh. 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