Melissa: Name Meaning, Origin, and Popularity

Pronunciation: me-hle-e-ssa-h
Origin: Greece
gender-female

Emmy Samtani

Emmy Samtani

Emmy is the founder of Kiindred and mother to 3 little ones. Over the last 4 years, she has worked with some of the most credible experts in the parenting space and is a keen contributor on all things parenthood.
Updated on Aug 14, 2024 · 2 mins read
Region Origin: Southern Europe
Meaning: Bee

Melissa is a female given name of Greek origin, meaning "bee" or "honeybee". The name has its roots in Greek mythology and folklore, where Melissa was a supernatural woman who took care of the infant Zeus. In ancient Greek mythology, Melissa was born to a Cretan king named Melisseus and was a nymph who discovered and taught the use of honey. The name Melissa has been used in the US since the 18th century and was especially popular in the late 1970s. The spiritual meaning of the name Melissa is associated with love, nurturing, diplomacy, truth-holding, and caretaking. People with this name are often seen as stable, mature, responsible, and caring, with a strong sense of confidence and trustworthiness.

Melissa Name Popularity Data

chat-overall Melissa is currently #420 in the popularity of the name rankings.
gender-female Girl: Melissa is currently #226 on Kiindred Girl Names
gender-male Overall Unique: Melissa is currently #416 on Kiindred Unique Names
gender-female Girl Unique: Melissa is currently #226 on Kiindred Girl Unique Names

Popularity Trend Chart

Parents Who Like the Name Melissa Also Like:

Parents who like the name Melissa often have similar name preferences and tend to choose popular choices like:

Famous People Named Melissa

This section lists notable individuals and public figures named Melissa, showcasing their achievements and contributions in various fields.

  • Melissa McCarthy: Melissa McCarthy is an American actress, comedian, writer, producer, and fashion designer known for her roles in "Bridesmaids," "Spy," and "Gilmore Girls."
  • Melissa Joan Hart: Melissa Joan Hart is an American actress, producer, and director known for her roles in "Clarissa Explains It All," "Sabrina the Teenage Witch," and "Melissa & Joey."
  • Melissa Etheridge: Melissa Etheridge is an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and activist known for her hit songs "Come to My Window" and "I'm the Only One."
  • Melissa Benoist: Melissa Benoist is an American actress and singer known for her role as Kara Danvers/Supergirl on the television series "Supergirl."
  • Melissa George: Melissa George is an Australian-American actress and entrepreneur known for her roles in "The Good Wife," "Grey's Anatomy," and "The Slap."
  • Melissa Leo: Melissa McCarthy is known for her comedic roles in films like "Bridesmaids" and "Ghostbusters."

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