Melissa

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At a Glance

Meaning
Honeybee
Origin
Greek
Gender
Girl
Pronunciation
muh-LISS-uh

Melissa is a girl's name of Greek origin meaning "honeybee," pronounced muh-LISS-uh. It has a classic, timeless feel, familiar and easy to say and spell, with a gentle sound that suits a baby and a grown woman alike.

Meaning & Origin of Melissa

Meaning: Honeybee.

Origin: Greek.

Source: Wiktionary.

How to Pronounce Melissa

muh-LISS-uhIPA /məˈlɪsə/

Popularity of Melissa

Melissa peaked at #2 in 1977, when 26,880 baby girls were given the name. By 2024 it had settled to #378 with 825 babies, so it's still in regular use but you're unlikely to meet another Melissa in every classroom.

Names Like Melissa

These names share Melissa’s style, era or origin.

FAQ

What does the name Melissa mean?

Honeybee. (Source: Wiktionary)

How do you pronounce Melissa?

Melissa is pronounced muh-LISS-uh (IPA: /məˈlɪsə/).

Is Melissa a popular name right now?

Melissa peaked at #2 in 1977 and is ranked #378 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)

Make Melissa Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Melissa, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.

📊 How popular is Melissa? See the full popularity history, trend data, and ranking since 1880 with our free Baby Name Popularity Checker.

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