MELISSA
GENDER: Feminine
USAGE: English, Dutch, Ancient Greek, Greek Mythology
OTHER SCRIPTS: Μελισσα (Ancient Greek)
PRONOUNCED: mə-LIS-ə (English)   [key]
Meaning & History
Means "bee" in Greek. This was the name of a nymph that cared for young Zeus in Greek mythology. It is also the name of the fairy who helps Rogero escape from the witch Alcina in Ludovico Ariosto's poem 'Orlando Furioso' (1516). As an English given name, Melissa has been used since the 18th century.
Related Names
VARIANTS: Melyssa (English), Melitta (Ancient Greek)
DIMINUTIVES: Lissa, Mel, Melina, Melinda, Mindy, Missie, Missy, Malinda, Melantha (English)
OTHER LANGUAGES: Mélissa (French), Melitta (German), Melika (Hawaiian), Melisa (Spanish)
Popularity
United States  ranked #177 
England/Wales  ranked #192 
Canada (BC)  - 
Australia (NSW)  - 
Belgium  - 
France  ranked #58 
Italy  ranked #27 
Netherlands  ranked #241 
Northern Ireland  - 
Scotland  - 
Sweden  ranked #57