Behind the Name
the etymology and history of first names
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View Name: Melissa


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 #184 
England/Wales  - 
Canada (BC)  - 
Australia (NSW)  - 
Belgium  - 
France  ranked #55 
Netherlands  ranked #180 
Northern Ireland  - 
Scotland  ranked #99 
Sweden  ranked #72 
SEE ALSO
MÉLISSA


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