Malissa
Malissa is a girl's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
Honeybee.
Origin and history
Malissa is a variant spelling of Melissa, which derives from the Greek word for honeybee. It enjoyed moderate popularity in the United States during the late 20th century, closely following the trend of the primary spelling. Today, it is a rare choice for newborn girls in the U.S.
Popularity in the United States
8,866 babies in the United States have been named Malissa since 1880. It ranks #1776 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #2067.
States where it is most popular
- CA (16.9 %)
- TX (8.4 %)
- NY (7.3 %)
- OH (6.1 %)
- MI (6 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 185 |
| 1890-1900 | 192 |
| 1900-1910 | 196 |
| 1910-1920 | 250 |
| 1920-1930 | 265 |
| 1930-1940 | 121 |
| 1940-1950 | 149 |
| 1950-1960 | 293 |
| 1960-1970 | 1,403 |
| 1970-1980 | 2,657 |
| 1980-1990 | 1,804 |
| 1990-2000 | 902 |
| 2000-2010 | 302 |
| 2010-2019 | 113 |
| 2020-2029 | 34 |
Nicknames
Lissa, Missi, Missy, Mali
Fun facts
- Malissa developed as a phonetic spelling variant of Melissa, which peaked in usage in the 1970s and 1980s.
- The root name Melissa stems from Greek mythology, referring to a nymph who discovered and taught the use of honey.