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Home › Baby Names Directory › Malyssa

Malyssa

♀ Girl

How to Pronounce Malyssa

Pronounced muh-LISS-uh /məˈlɪsə/High

Meaning: Malyssa is a modern respelling of Melissa, from the Greek melissa, 'bee' or 'honeybee,' a word tied to sweetness and the nymph who nursed the infant Zeus. The Ma- and -yss- styling is cosmetic; the inherited 'honeybee' meaning stays intact.Medium

In 30 seconds: Malyssa is a modern respelling of Melissa, from the Greek melissa meaning 'bee' or 'honeybee,' given to a handful of girls (said muh-LISS-uh).
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Origin MediumGreek, American
MeaningMalyssa is a modern respelling of Melissa, from the Greek melissa, 'bee' or 'honeybee,' a word tied to sweetness and the nymph who nursed the infant Zeus. The Ma- and -yss- styling is cosmetic; the inherited 'honeybee' meaning stays intact.
U.S. rank (2019)#17090 ↘ Falling
2019 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1993
Total births (all-time)≈ 399

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 199319792019

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Malyssa appears in United States records from the late 1970s as a creative spelling of Melissa. Melissa, from the Greek melissa, 'honeybee,' was one of the era's favorite girls' names; Malyssa keeps the meaning and adds a fresher look.

It was never common in this form, reaching only a couple dozen girls a year around its early-1990s high while standard Melissa was widely used. A Malyssa from that time is in her mid-thirties now.

Did you know? Malyssa is Melissa restyled, from the Greek word for 'honeybee,' a name tied to sweetness since antiquity.
Overall data confidence 55%
References - Malyssa — Respelling of Melissa < Greek melissa 'honeybee'

Variations

MelissaMelyssaMalissa

Nicknames

LyssaMel

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Malyssa…

Melissa— the standard spelling Malyssa restyles
Melyssa— a close variant of the parent
Malissa— a near-identical Ma- spelling
Alyssa— a like -lyssa/-lissa name of the era

Explore names like Malyssa

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Malyssa mean?

It is a respelling of Melissa, from the Greek melissa meaning 'bee' or 'honeybee.'

How do you pronounce Malyssa?

It's said muh-LISS-uh /məˈlɪsə/, three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Malyssa a boy or girl name?

Malyssa is used as a girl's name.

Is Malyssa a popular name?

No, this spelling has always been rare, though the standard Melissa was very popular in the same years.

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