Research-backed
In This Article
- Origin, Meaning, And History Of Melissa
- How To Pronounce Melissa?
- Phonemic Representation Of Melissa
- Notable People Named Melissa
- Melissa On The Popularity Chart
- Popularity Over Time
- Rank Over Time
- Melissa On MomJunction Popularity Chart
- Melissa Name's Presence On Social Media
- Melissa’s Mention In Fictional Works
- Names With Similar Sound As Melissa
- Popular Sibling Names For Melissa
- Other Popular Names Beginning With M
- Names With Same Meaning As Melissa
- Names Rhyming With Melissa
- Popular Songs On The Name Melissa
- Acrostic Poem On Melissa
- ‘Melissa’ In QR Code
- Adorable Nicknames For Melissa
- Melissa’s Zodiac Sign As Per Western Astrology
- Melissa’s Zodiac Sign And Birth Star As Per Vedic Astrology
- Infographic: Know The Name Melissa's Personality As Per Numerology
- Melissa In Different Languages
- Melissa In Fancy Fonts
- Adorable ‘Melissa’ Wallpapers To Share
- How To Communicate The Name Melissa In Sign Languages
- Name Numerology For Melissa
- Baby Name Lists Containing Melissa
- Melissa In Literature
- Movie Titles Inspired By The Name Melissa
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Look Up For Many More Names
Origin, Meaning, And History Of Melissa
Melissa is a classic, sweet-sounding name that originates from ancient Greek and means honeybee. Its derived from ‘meli,’ which means honey. The name also refers to a herb from the mint family, lemon balm. Melissa is also believed to have Gaelic origins, deriving from Maoilíosa, which means ‘servant of Christ.’
In ancient Greek mythology, Melissa was the child of a Cretan king, Melisseus. She was a nymph with supernatural powers. Legends say that Melissa found out about the usage of honey and taught it to the bees. It concludes the name’s meaning in its entirety.
Melissa is also a manifestation of the ancient Greek goddess Artemis, the moon goddess, who takes away or alleviates pain during childbirth. It is believed that Melissa may have been an old Goddess. The Greek philosopher Porphyry wrote that the priestesses called The Mellisae were initiates of Melissa as the chthonic goddess.
The name has variations in different cultures and languages. In the Geek, the name’s variants include Malisa, Malissa, Melessa, and Melisa. In French, it is Mélisse, and in Spanish Melosa.
The name has made a mark in popular culture. Writers like Charles Dickens, Rudyard Kipling, and Lawrence Durrell named their charecters Melissa, contributing significantly to popularizing the name. The name also found a place in the lyrics of many hit songs in the 1990s. ‘Melissa’ by the Allman Brothers Band, ‘Melissa’ featuring Jackson Browne and Gregg Allman, and the recent ‘Melissa’s Song’ by Duff Kelly, kept the name’s popularity intact.
Other occurrences of the name in popular culture include the American sitcom ‘Melissa & Joey,’ and Melissa Egan from the movie ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer.’ Melissa Hastings is another character from the hit series ‘Pretty Little Liars.’ Notably, May 27 is observed as National Melissa Day to observe all Melissas who graced the world for centuries.
Melissa
6Girl
Christianity, Greek
Greek
6
Three
1 word, 7 letters, 3 vowels, 4 consonants
Medium length and moderately easy to pronounce
Connected with someone called Melissa? Send this page their way as a fun share!
How To Pronounce Melissa?
The way you pronounce a name can make all the difference.
Listen to the sound of the name Melissa in English.
Phonemic Representation Of Melissa
Phonemics is the study of a language’s distinctive sound units (phonemes), as standardized by the International Phonetics Association. When choosing a name for your baby, knowing its phonemic pronunciation gives an idea about the name’s sound pattern and auditory appeal. You can assess the name’s ease of pronunciation, memorability, and softness. Here is the phonemic transcription of Melissa in American and British accents.
- In American English: /məˈlɪsə/
- In British English: /məˈlɪsə/
Pronunciation of names, in fact, any spoken word, involves the participation of various parts of the mouth, vocal cord, nose, and lungs. Underneath all the sounds we make is the airstream flowing from the lungs and moving up to the mouth. It’s incredible how lips, tongue, teeth, alveolar ridge, palate, glottis, and larynx work harmoniously to bring out the words. Studies have proved that positive sounds like OM (AUM) help maintain hormonal balance and mental health and reduce stress and anxiety. So, what parts does Melissa trigger? Find the details here; the sound of Melissa might bring in more positive vibes into your life!
| Phoneme | Articulation |
|---|---|
| /m/ | Bringing both lips together. Airflow stops for a fraction of a second |
| /ə/ | Tongue mid. Airflow is continuous |
| /l/ | Raising the tongue tip while keeping the rest of the tongue down. Causes some obstruction of the airstream in the mouth |
| /ɪ/ | Tongue high front, less spread lips. Airflow is continuous |
| /s/ | Raising the sides of the front of the tongue but lowering the tip. Severely obstructs the airflow and causes friction |
| /ə/ | Tongue mid. Airflow is continuous |
Notable People Named Melissa
This section covers people who have made the name Melissa famous with their contributions in various fields. It indeed is a little more inspiration for you to choose the name for your baby, don’t you think?
- Melissa McCarthyActress, comedian, writer, producer, and fashion designer
- Melissa Joan HartActress, producer, and director
- Melissa EtheridgeAmerican singer-songwriter, guitarist, and activist
- Melissa BenoistAmerican actress and singer
- Melissa GilbertActress and author
- Melissa MathisonAmerican TV screenwriter , famous for writing the screenplay of The Black Stallion
- Melissa Ivy RauchAmerican comedian, known for playing Bernadette Rostenkowski-Wolowitz in The Big Bang Theory
- Melissa Arnette "Missy" ElliottAmerican singer
- Melissa 'Missy' FranklinAmerican Olympic gold medal swimmer
- Melissa HoughAmerican ballet dancer, principal dancer with the Norwegian National Ballet
- Melissa Rose "Melrose" BickerstaffAmerican model and actress, known for Semiotics of Intimacy
Melissa On The Popularity Chart
Melissa’s popularity peaked in the 1980s. View this chart below to learn about the name’s growth over the years.
Popularity Over Time
Although Melissa remained popular in the past few centuries, the name is seeing a downward trend now. In 1985, over 20,0000 babies per million were named Melisssa, which dropped to about 1000 names in 2020.
Source: Social Security AdministrationRank Over Time
The name was among the top five baby names in 1980. However, the name is ranked 360 in 2021.
Source: Social Security AdministrationMelissa On MomJunction Popularity Chart
Know how popular the name Melissa is among the MomJunction readers. We used a unique approach to gather relevant insights for creating this popularity chart by observing the interactions and interest around the name on our platform. See what the trend has been among our readers over these past years.
Melissa Name’s Presence On Social Media
Before you finalize your baby’s name, you would want to assess if the name is rare or popular. Digital footprint of the name - it’s presence on the internet and social media platforms - can provide you with valuable insights on it’s popularity. A name’s online presence is an important metric for new parents to evaluate their options and make an informed choice. How many people are searching the name on Google, how many profiles are there on Facebook, does the name have a Wikipedia page? Such information surely tells you if the name is ubiquitous or unique. Here is how Melissa fares on that count.
Coverage on Wikipedia
Number of profiles on Facebook
Monthly global searches on Google
Melissa’s Mention In Fictional Works
In this section, know how the creative minds have treated the name Melissa in their fictional works. How often has the name been woven into the storylines, and how popular was the character – these details may not directly influence your naming decision, but you would like to know about Melissa’s performance in the world of entertainment, won’t you? Moreover, it could be the name of the character from a movie or series you loved or binge-watched recently! So, check out Melissa’s performance in the fictional cosmos.
| Title | Character name | Role played by |
|---|---|---|
| The Answer Is Six | Melissa | Grace Bennett |
| The Zeke Sanders Story | Melissa | Christen Sharice |
| The Best of the Bloodhounds | Melissa Hunter | Kendra Thomas |
| Meet Me in my Dreams | Melissa Rogers | Alissa Bair |
| A Qualm's Prey | Melissa | Melyssa Payopay |
| The Call: Selah Sagas | Melissa | Allie Frye |
| Dark Cycle | Melissa | Sydney Carvill |
| Being Nowhere | Melissa | Amy Schapel |
| Freshman Year | Melissa Sunborn | Pamela Manganaro |
| Grace | Melissa | Stephanie Brait |
Names With Similar Sound As Melissa
Melissa sounds beautiful and melodic. Here are some more names that sound like Melissa.
Popular Sibling Names For Melissa
If you are looking for some matching sibling names that resonate with Melissa, check our suggestions here.
Boy Sibling Names For Melissa
Find matching brother names for Melissa and create a wonderful team of siblings.
MaialesMalaisami Malaiswamy Malece Malise Mayilsami Melecio Mellist Miles Milesant Girl Sibling Names For Melissa
Looking for some suitable sister names for Melissa? Check out our collection of beautiful and unique names.
MalissaMallissa Melesa Melicent Melisa Melisant Melisent Melisentia Melissan Melisse Other Popular Names Beginning With M
Looking for more baby names starting with the letter M to resonate with your family’s naming tradition or to rhyme with the sibling names? Find a range of alternative names starting with this letter.
Names With Same Meaning As Melissa
Do you wish to explore more names that mean honey bee? Check out the options listed below.
Names Rhyming With Melissa
The significance of rhyming names extends beyond their aesthetic appeal and a good feel. The repetition and symmetry enhance their memorability. If you want your children’s names to be easily remembered or tune with your name, try some rhyming names. Here are such names that rhyme with Melissa.
Popular Songs On The Name Melissa
Acrostic Poem On Melissa
Dive into the lyrical charm of the name Melissa with this acrostic poem. Witness how each letter paints together a story, capturing the name’s individuality, strength, vitality, and sophistication. Inspiring, is it? Why not try a similar poem that describes what you think of your baby’s personality?
Mystical as the star-speckled moonlit night.
Enchanting like a garden of wildflowers.
Lifting the dark clouds in our life, our little sunshine.
Infectious laughter illuminating hearts with humor.
Sprinkling laughter like a fresh summer rain.
Spirited and sprightly, filling the house with contagious energy.
Ambitious and active, never resting for a minute.
‘Melissa’ In QR Code
Here's a unique feature for the modern, tech-savvy, and curious parents – have your baby's name in a QR code. If you want your close circle to know your newborn's name, all you need to do is simply scan and share it. The code not only shows the name but its meaning as well; this means you don't have to painfully explain the meaning of your baby's name anymore! So, go ahead. Download, save, and share it with your family and friends, or use it to create personalized keepsakes for your little one.
Adorable Nicknames For Melissa
Nicknames are an integral part of your communication with your baby. You tend to use several variations of your child’s name; some are meaningful, while others are simply adorable sounds. Here are a few nicknames you can begin with for the name Melissa.
- Mel
- Missy
- Lissa
- Mels
- Melly
Melissa’s Zodiac Sign As Per Western Astrology
Western astrology includes the construction of a horoscope based on the person’s exact time of birth and location to understand the positions of the planet, stars, and zodiac signs at that time. However, in popular culture, it is often narrowed down to the sun sign, which depends on the person’s birth date.There are 12 zodiac signs, each having dominant traits, planetary rulers, elemental connection, and more.
Zodiac sign or Sun sign
The Earth’s orbit around the sun is divided into 12 zodiac signs covering 30-degree sectors. According to Western astrology, the zodiac or sun sign depends on the sun’s position in one of these sectors at the time of your birth. Starting from the sun’s position at the March equinox, the chart goes anti-clockwise from Aries, followed by Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces. These signs are ruled by planetary bodies - Mars, Venus, Mercury, Moon, Sun, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Furthermore, they are categorized into triplicities or elemental signs - fire, water, air, and earth - that govern their characteristics. Each of these zodiac signs features certain personality traits that may determine how a person presents themselves.
Why the date of birth matters
Each zodiac sign in Western astrology is linked to a specific range of dates in the year. Unlike Vedic astrology, where names can sometimes be used to infer astrological details, Western astrology relies entirely on the birth date.
To know more about your baby’s zodiac sign, choose the period in which your baby’s date of birth falls, from the options given below. This will give you a glimpse into the world of astrology tailored for your baby.
Select your baby’s birthdate range
Mar 21 – Apr 19
Apr 20 – May 20
May 21 – Jun 20
Jun 21 – Jul 22
Jul 23 – Aug 22
Aug 23 – Sep 22
Sep 23 – Oct 22
Oct 23 – Nov 21
Nov 22 – Dec 21
Dec 22 – Jan 19
Jan 20 – Feb 18
Feb 19 – Mar 20
Melissa’s Zodiac Sign And Birth Star As Per Vedic Astrology
Vedic astrology, also called Jyotisha, provides deep insights into a person’s life based on celestial positions at birth. Rashi and nakshatra, which are an integral part of Jyotisha, are believed to influence an individual’s personality and life events. The following sections give you rashi-related information, such as the associated letters, elements, ruling body, quality, and nakshatra for the name Melissa. These details help analyze a person’s characteristics, personality, and behavior.
Zodiac Sign (Rashi)
As shown in the following table, each rashi is associated with specific sounds, which are often used as the starting letters of names for newborns in Hindu families. Each rashi is represented by a figure and one of the five elements – Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Ether (Space). One ruling celestial body, known as its 'rashi lord' or 'ruler' is assigned to these rashis. These bodies include Venus, Mars, Sun, Moon, Mercury, Jupiter, and Saturn. Furthermore, the rashis are assigned various qualities or gunas.
| Rashi (zodiac sign) | Simha (Leo) |
|---|---|
| Starting letters for Simha (Leo) rashi | M, TT |
| Representation | Lion |
| Element | Fire |
| Ruling body | Sun |
| Quality | Fixed |
Birth Star (Nakshatra)
Another important aspect of Vedic Astrology is the nakshatras, the lunar constellations or star clusters that the Moon occupies during a person's birth. There are 27 nakshatras, each with its own unique qualities, attributes, and symbolism. Each rashi contains two-and-one-fourth nakshatras in it. For example, Aries contains Ashwini, Bharani, and Krithika nakshatras.
The below table provides information on the nakshatras’ degrees on the zodiac circle, their lords and related syllables, for babies born in the Simha (Leo) rashi. These syllables/phonetics are popularly used to choose the baby name. For precise nakshatra calculation based on your baby's birthplace and date, use our Nakshatra Calculator.
| Nakshatra | Degrees Of The Nakshatra | Nakshatra Lord (Ruler) | Name Syllables |
|---|---|---|---|
| Magha (Makha, Makam) | Leo (0 to 13.20 degrees) | Ketu | Ma, Maa, Mi, Mee, Mu, Me |
| Purva Phalguni (Pooram, Pubba) | Leo (13.20 to 26.40 degrees) | Venus | Mo, Ta, Taa, Ti, Tee, Tu |
| Uttara Phalguni (Uthiram, Utram) | Leo (26.40 to 30 degrees) | Sun | Te, Ta, Taa, To, Pa, Paa, Pi, Pee |
Infographic: Know The Name Melissa‘s Personality As Per Numerology
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Melissa In Different Languages
It’s exciting to see our baby’s name spelled and written in various languages. See how people spell Melissa in Spanish, French, German, Italian, and more! Each language has its own way of saying Melissa, but it’s still the same special name. Learn how the name looks and sounds in different languages around the world!
| Name | Language | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Melissa | English | en |
| 梅丽莎 | Chinese | zh-CN |
| मेलिसा | Hindi | hi |
| Melissa | Spanish | es |
| Melissa | French | fr |
| ميليسا | Arabic | ar |
| মেলিসা | Bengali | bn |
| Melissa | Portuguese | pt |
| Мелисса | Russian | ru |
| میلیسا | Urdu | ur |
| Melissa | Indonesian | id |
| Melissa | German | de |
| メリッサ | Japanese | ja |
| मेलिसा | Marathi | mr |
| మెలిస్సా | Telugu | te |
| Melissa | Turkish | tr |
| மெலிசா | Tamil | ta |
| Melissa | Vietnamese | vi |
| Melissa | Tagalog | tl |
| 여자 이름 | Korean | ko |
| Melissa | Hausa | ha |
| Melissa | Swahili | sw |
| Melissa | Javanese | jv |
| Melissa | Italian | it |
| ਮੇਲਿਸਾ | Punjabi | pa |
| મેલિસા | Gujarati | gu |
| เมลิสซา | Thai | th |
| ಮೆಲಿಸ್ಸಾ | Kannada | kn |
| ሜሊሳ | Amharic | am |
| मेलिसा | Bhojpuri | bho |
| Melissa | Yoruba | yo |
Melissa In Fancy Fonts
Visualize your little one’s name in different captivating fonts. You can use these fancy styles on birth announcement cards, nursery decorations, personalized gifts, to name a few. Select the perfect font from these options for a touch of personalization.
- Double Struck Font𝕄 𝕖 𝕝 𝕚 𝕤 𝕤 𝕒
- Bold Script Font𝓜 𝓮 𝓵 𝓲 𝓼 𝓼 𝓪
- Fancy Style 35 Fontm ε ﾚ ï š š α
- Fancy Style 7 FontΜ € Ł Ɨ Ş Ş Δ
- Love FontM♥ e♥ l♥ i♥ s♥ s♥ a♥
- Black Square Font🅼 🅴 🅻 🅸 🆂 🆂 🅰
- Hand Writing 2 FontM ҽ ʅ ι ʂ ʂ α
- X Above Bellow FontM͓̽ e͓̽ l͓̽ i͓̽ s͓̽ s͓̽ a͓̽
Liked our fancy fonts for Melissa? Why not go a step forward with these beautiful posters? They are perfect to download and use as display pictures or social media posts! You may also use them as part of decorating your child’s room. These personalized wallpapers celebrate the positive vibes of the name, offering a unique way to show how much this name means to you. What’s more! You have multiple options here to choose depending on your mood or occasion.
Melissa 3D Wallpaper
Download
ShareMelissa Birthday Wallpaper
Download‘I Love Melissa’ Wallpaper
DownloadStylish Melissa Wallpaper
DownloadMelissa Name Initial Wallpaper
DownloadHow To Communicate The Name Melissa In Sign Languages
In Nautical Flags
Melissa
In Sign Language
Melissa
In Braille Alphabet
Melissa
In Morse Code
Melissa
In Barcode
In Binary
01001101 01100101 01101100 01101001 01110011 01110011 01100001
Name Numerology For Melissa
Numerology is an occult system that gives significance to numbers and their influence on human life and destiny. Numerologists attribute specific qualities, energies, and characteristics to a number. Parents who believe in numerology prefer to choose baby names that resonate positively with the child’s unique numerical vibrations, often derived from their date of birth. Here we give a general birth number and personality traits of the name Melissa, based on the Pythagorean (Western) system. This analysis will differ from child to child based on their date of birth. You may use our numerology calculator for more personalized information.
The name you give a child at birth is like their numerological DNA - it is a blueprint of who they are, their talents and character traits, their likes and dislikes, and much more. So choose carefully and, if possible, consider an ancestral name, especially one that belonged to an ancestor who did well and lived a good life. But consult a numerologist for more insight and perhaps a little fine-tuning by changing a letter or adding a middle name.
Baby Name Lists Containing Melissa
Read through our baby name lists that include the name Melissa and several other similar names. The wider the choice, the better your selection. Isn't it?
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Melissa In Literature
Melissa has captured the imagination of storytellers over the years. Here’s a list of literary works carrying the name Melissa.
- Melissa, if one life
- Cakes by melissa: life is what you bake it
- Melissa
Movie Titles Inspired By The Name Melissa
Discover the presence of Melissa in an array of films. Know about the various movies that have this name.
| Movie title | Other titles | Release year |
|---|---|---|
| Uneven Ground: The Melissa Witt Story | 2023 | |
| The State of Texas vs. Melissa | L'État du Texas contre Melissa | 2020 |
| Dear Melissa | 2018 | |
| Sean and Melissa: 10 Years Later | 2012 | |
| Someday Melissa | 2011 | |
| Melissa Mom and Me | Melissa Mom VeAni, Melissa, mama a ja, Melissa: Mom and Me | 2010 |
| A Bee in August | Mia melissa ton Avgousto, Μια μέλισσα τον Αύγουστο, Пчела в августе | 2007 |
| Melissa Etheridge: Live... and Alone | 2002 |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the meaning of the name Melissa?
The name Melissa means ‘honey’ or ‘servant of Christ.’
2. What is the origin of the name Melissa?
Melissa has Greek and Gaelic origins.
3. How to pronounce the name Melissa?
Melissa is pronounced as meh-lissa.
4. What are some common middle names that pair well with Melissa?
Melissa is a name inspired by the sweet honeybee. Thus, you may look for similar nature-related names. For instance, Abilene, a Hebrew name meaning ‘meadow,’ and the Spanish name Paloma, meaning ‘dove,’ may complement Melissa as a middle name. A shorter syllable name such as Ava, Mia, or Luna can also make a phonetically beautiful pair with Melissa.
5. Is the name Melissa commonly seen in other countries?
Yes, Melissa is popular in several countries as a first name. This may be seen from its culture-influenced spelling variants, such as Mélissa and Melis are the French and Turkish equivalents, while Melinda is its Hungarian counterpart.
References
- Melissa
https://www.etymonline.com/word/Melissa - Melissa
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melissa_(name) - Astrology, Hermes (2023); Astrology for Beginners.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/370635414_Astrology_for_Beginners - Shirley Lawrence; The Secret Science of Numerology: The Hidden Meaning of Numbers and Letters.
https://www.academia.edu/97492675/The_Secret_Science_of_Numerology_The_Hidden_Meaning_of_Numbers_and_Letters_Shirley_Lawrence&nav_from=a3c5c3fd-555f-4584-b66d-4a3c8023402e&rw_pos=0 - Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia; “zodiac”; Encyclopedia Britannica.
https://www.britannica.com/topic/zodiac - P.V.R. Narasimha Rao; Vedic Astrology: An Integrated Approach.
https://www.vedicastrologer.org/articles/vedic_astro_textbook.pdf - Paulo Martins; A Concise History of Hindu Astrology and Indian Spirituality; Scholars Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.
https://www.saspublishers.com/media/articles/SJAHSS_112_33-36_FT_MAEgJAB.pdf - International Phonetic Association.
https://www.internationalphoneticassociation.org/ - Adam Szczegielniak; Phonetics: The Sounds of Language; Harvard University.
https://scholar.harvard.edu/files/adam/files/phonetics.ppt.pdf - Lalita K. Wani et al; Review of Scientific Analysis Of Sacred Sound OM (AUM); Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (JETIR), Novermber 2020.
https://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2011207.pdf
Look Up For Many More Names
Do you have a name in mind and want to know more about it? Or want to find names belonging to a particular origin, religion, or having a specific meaning? Use our search tool below to explore more baby names with different combinations.
