Melissa
Melissa is a girl's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
Honeybee.
Origin and history
Melissa comes from the Ancient Greek word for 'bee' or 'honeybee'. It was prominent in Greek mythology and gained massive popularity in the United States during the late 20th century. Today, it remains a classic and recognizable traditional female name.
Popularity in the United States
760,128 babies in the United States have been named Melissa since 1880. It ranks #29 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #382.
States where it is most popular
- CA (11.5 %)
- TX (7.7 %)
- NY (7.5 %)
- PA (5.2 %)
- OH (5.1 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 427 |
| 1890-1900 | 399 |
| 1900-1910 | 323 |
| 1910-1920 | 516 |
| 1920-1930 | 526 |
| 1930-1940 | 666 |
| 1940-1950 | 2,837 |
| 1950-1960 | 22,293 |
| 1960-1970 | 119,202 |
| 1970-1980 | 253,267 |
| 1980-1990 | 217,922 |
| 1990-2000 | 89,990 |
| 2000-2010 | 32,625 |
| 2010-2019 | 14,272 |
| 2020-2029 | 4,863 |
Famous people named Melissa
- Melissa McCarthy: Actress, Comedian
- Melissa Etheridge: Musician, Singer
- Melissa Joan Hart: Actress, Director
Nicknames
Mel, Missy, Lissa
Fun facts
- In Greek mythology, Melissa was a nymph who discovered and taught the use of honey and fed the infant Zeus.
- Melissa ranked among the top ten most popular baby girl names in the United States throughout the 1970s and 1980s.