Melissa
Melissa is a boy's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
Bee or honeybee.
Origin and history
Melissa is derived from the Greek word for 'bee', which traces back to the word for 'honey'. While traditionally and overwhelmingly given to female infants, historically it has seen occasional use for males in the United States.
Popularity in the United States
2,495 babies in the United States have been named Melissa since 1880. It ranks #2594 all-time.
States where it is most popular
- CA (30.6 %)
- TX (17.3 %)
- NY (11.3 %)
- PA (6 %)
- OH (5.4 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 0 |
| 1950-1960 | 31 |
| 1960-1970 | 307 |
| 1970-1980 | 894 |
| 1980-1990 | 921 |
| 1990-2000 | 265 |
| 2000-2010 | 72 |
| 2010-2019 | 5 |
| 2020-2029 | 0 |
Nicknames
Mel, Lissa, Missy
Fun facts
- In classical Greek myth, Melissa was a nymph who cared for young Zeus and fed him honey.
- The name is closely tied to the botanical genus Melissa, which includes lemon balm.