N
NamyLab

Melissa

female
Updated 6 months ago

Meaning

"Honeybee"

From Greek melissa meaning honeybee, it appears in classical sources and became common in English-speaking countries in the twentieth century.

Themes:honeybeegreekmythmodern
MythologyMythological

Fact-checked by Lily Anderson

M.F.A. Creative Writing, Sarah LawrencePublished NovelistName Collection Curator • Creative Names Editor

This name has been verified against authoritative sources including SSA data, etymology databases, and cultural naming traditions.

Popularity History of Melissa

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#378Top 500

Loading chart...

Yearly Ranking Snapshot

Pick any SSA release year to inspect that year's national ranking and how it changed from the year before.

Selected Year Rank
#378

Melissa was nationally ranked in 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year
+32

better than 2023

Data Source

Popularity rankings are based on official data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), which tracks baby name applications in the United States.

Last updated: 2024 • Data source updated annually

Melissa Nicknames

Familiar short forms, playful variations, and easy everyday options for Melissa.

12 ideas
Mel
Nickname
Missy
Nickname
Lissa
Nickname
Lisa
Nickname
mely
Nickname
meli
Nickname
me
Nickname
mo
Nickname
issa
Nickname
lisy
Nickname
ssay
Nickname
my
Nickname

Similar Names to Melissa

female

Anna

AN-uh

“Grace; Favor”

#94
|Hebrew
female

Ashley

“Ash Tree Clearing”

#124
|English
female

Amanda

uh-MAN-duh

“Worthy of Love”

#496
|Latin
female

Amy

AY-mee

“Beloved”

#228
|French
female

Angela

AN-juh-luh

“Messenger; Angel”

#282
|Greek
female

Ann

“Grace, Favor”

#1141
|Hebrew
female

Andrea

“Manly, Courageous”

#185
|Greek
female

Amber

“Amber Resin”

#541
|Arabic
female

Annie

“Grace, Favor”

#191
|Hebrew
female

Alexis

uh-LEK-sis

“Defender; Helper”

#506
|Greek

Baby Name Lists That Include Melissa

Browse every Namylab list page that currently includes Melissa, from meaning and origin collections to letter, syllable, and themed baby name lists.

24 linked lists

Famous Melissas

  • M
    Melissa McCarthy
    American actress and comedian
  • M
    Melissa Etheridge
    American rock singer-songwriter and multiple Grammy Award winner

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Melissa mean?
Melissa means "Honeybee". From Greek melissa meaning honeybee, it appears in classical sources and became common in English-speaking countries in
What is the origin of Melissa?
Melissa is of Greek origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.
How popular is the name Melissa?
According to the latest SSA data, Melissa is currently ranked #378 in the United States. The name has shown interesting trends over the past century, with popularity varying based on cultural preferences and naming trends.
Is Melissa a girl name?
Melissa is traditionally a girl name. However, modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal preference.
What are good nicknames for Melissa?
Popular nicknames for Melissa include Mel, Missy, Lissa, Lisa, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.
What names are similar to Melissa?
There are many names similar to Melissa in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginGreek, English
Syllables3
Length7 letters
US Rank#378
Trend↑ Rising
Starts withM

Sibling Ideas

Explore More Girl Names Like Melissa

Melissa has Greek roots, making it a wonderful choice if you love names from this heritage. Discover more options in our Greek baby names collection, where you'll find hundreds of names with similar cultural depth.

Melissa appears in several of our curated collections. Check out Legendary Mythological Names and Classic Greek Baby Names for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing Traditional English Names and Names That Mean The Sun for Boys and Girls.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Melissa pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Melissa beautifully, and the Nickname Predictor reveals the most common short forms.

Explore our full baby name lists for origin-based, meaning-based, and themed collections, or head back to the baby name generator to continue your search.