Girl · Greek · Christian
Melissa
MelissaSay it muh-LIS-uh
- Meaning
- Honeybee (Greek melissa, from meli 'honey') Online Etymology Dictionary, s.v. Melissa
- Say it
- muh-LIS-uh
- Other spellings
- Melisa, Mellisa
Melissa
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Melissa meaning
Melissa is a Christian girl's name of Greek origin.
Honeybee (Greek melissa, from meli 'honey')
Melissa is the Greek word for a honeybee, made from meli, "honey". The Online Etymology Dictionary adds that the Greeks also used it as a title for priestesses, such as those of Delphi, and that the same honey root lies behind English mellifluous and molasses. In the Bible the Hebrew name Deborah carries the same meaning, "bee", so the two names are natural partners. The lemon balm plant is also called melissa because bees love it. In India the name is used by Christian families in Kerala, Goa and Mangalore and suits a modern, international taste.
Source: Online Etymology Dictionary (etymonline.com), s.v. Melissa · entry Melissa · See the entry · checked 25 Oct 2026
References: Online Etymology Dictionary, Melissa
Popularity abroad
- #420 United States, girls 2025 (down 41 from 379 in 2024)
US Social Security Administration - #321 England and Wales, girls 2025
Office for National Statistics
Official birth registrations. India publishes no national name statistics.
Spellings
Melissa · Melisa · Mellisa