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Melissa

♀ Girl

Pronounced meh-LIS-ah /mɪˈlɪs.ə/High

Meaning: From Greek melissa meaning bee or honeybee; in Greek mythology, Melissa was a nymph who discovered honey and fed it to the infant ZeusHigh

In 30 seconds: Melissa is a golden Greek name meaning 'honeybee,' carrying mythological sweetness from the nymph who fed honey to Zeus — one of the defining names of the 1970s–80s American generation.
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Origin HighGreek
MeaningFrom Greek melissa meaning bee or honeybee; in Greek mythology, Melissa was a nymph who discovered honey and fed it to the infant Zeus
U.S. rank (2025)#420 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births747 girls (0.04% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1979
Total births (all-time)≈ 760,133

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 197918802025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Melissa comes from Greek melissa meaning bee. In mythology, Melissa was a nymph on Mount Ida in Crete who cared for the infant Zeus and fed him honey. The name has been used since antiquity.

Melissa peaked as a given name in the United States in the 1970s–80s, reaching the top 5 girls' names. It has since moderated but remains a recognizable, warmly regarded classic.

Did you know? In Greek mythology, Melissa was the nymph who discovered honey and taught humans to keep bees — making the name literally the source of sweetness, a gift both domestic and divine.
Overall data confidence 97%
Behind the Name — Melissa — etymology and mythological historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

MelisaMelissa

Nicknames

MelMissyLissa

Famous Bearers

  • ★Melissa McCarthy (1970–present)
    American actress and comedian, Academy Award nominee known for Bridesmaids and Spy.
  • ★Melissa Etheridge (1961–present)
    American rock singer-songwriter and activist, Grammy and Academy Award winner.

If you like Melissa…

Vanessa— shares the three-syllable melodic flow and identical 1970s–80s American peak era
Jessica— fellow 1980s U.S. chart-topper with the same three-syllable warm femininity
Alicia— shares the melodic three-syllable structure and similar classic warmth
Sabrina— another three-syllable classic with a mythological-adjacent magical feel

Frequently Asked

What does the name Melissa mean?

Melissa means honeybee from Greek; Melissa was the mythological nymph who discovered honey and fed it to Zeus.

How do you pronounce Melissa?

It is said meh-LIS-ah /mɪˈlɪs.ə/ — three syllables, stress on the second.

When was Melissa most popular?

Melissa was a top-5 girls' name in the U.S. in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

What are nicknames for Melissa?

Common nicknames include Mel, Missy, and Lissa.