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Melisa

♀ Girl

Pronounced meh-LEE-sah /mɛˈliː.sɑː/High

Meaning: From the Greek melissa meaning honey bee, derived from meli meaning honey; a variant spelling of MelissaHigh

In 30 seconds: Melisa is the single-s spelling of Melissa, the sweet Greek name meaning honey bee — elegant, cross-cultural, and used widely in Spanish and Turkish-speaking countries as a natural spelling variant.
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Origin HighGreek
MeaningFrom the Greek melissa meaning honey bee, derived from meli meaning honey; a variant spelling of Melissa
U.S. rank (2024)#3064 ↗ Rising
2024 U.S. births53 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1979
Total births (all-time)≈ 19,054

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 197919482024

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

History & Origin

Melisa is a variant spelling of Melissa, from the Ancient Greek melissa meaning honey bee, itself from meli (honey). The name appears in Greek mythology as the nymph who discovered and taught the use of honey. It was used in ancient Greece and spread through Latin and Romance-language traditions.

The single-s spelling Melisa is particularly common in Spanish-speaking countries and in Turkey (where it is one of the most popular girls' names), reflecting natural phonemic adaptation. In the United States, Melissa was hugely popular in the 1970s–1980s, and Melisa is its continental spelling twin.

Did you know? In Greek mythology, the Melissae were the priestesses of Demeter and Artemis, named after the honey bee — and some traditions hold that bees were thought to be the souls of the dead returning to Earth.
Overall data confidence 94%
Behind the Name — Melissa — Greek melissa etymology; variant spellingsOxford Dictionary of First Names — historical usage and Greek mythological context

Variations

MelissaMellissaMelizaMelyssa

Nicknames

MelLisaMeli

Famous Bearers

  • ★Melisa Sözen (1985–present)
    Turkish actress known for her roles in Turkish television and in the Cannes-winning film Winter Sleep.

If you like Melisa…

Melissa— standard double-s spelling of the same name
Elisa— shares the -lisa ending and the same Greek-Mediterranean feel
Alicia— same three-syllable melodic feminine name in the -icia family
Clarissa— fellow elongated feminine name with classical elegance

Frequently Asked

What does the name Melisa mean?

Melisa means honey bee, from the Ancient Greek melissa, itself from meli meaning honey. It is a variant spelling of Melissa.

How do you pronounce Melisa?

It is said meh-LEE-sah, three syllables with stress on the second.

Is Melisa a boy or girl name?

Melisa is a girls' name.

How popular is Melisa?

Melisa is widely used in Turkey (where it is a top girls' name) and in Spanish-speaking countries; in English-speaking countries, Melissa is the more common spelling.