Melissa first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Melissa has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Melissa

A feminine name of Greek origin meaning "honey bee".

Popularity of Melissa by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Melissa is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 100% of people named Melissa being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 742 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Melissa.

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 0 742
2022 0 822
2021 0 834
2020 0 887
2019 0 933
2018 0 1,117
2017 0 1,169
2016 0 1,236
2015 5 1,283
2014 0 1,508
2013 0 1,592
2012 0 1,771
2011 0 1,709
2010 0 1,951
2009 0 2,337
2008 7 2,516
2007 6 2,504
2006 5 2,893
2005 11 3,084
2004 7 3,338
2003 8 3,501
2002 8 3,769
2001 12 4,145
2000 8 4,531
1999 18 4,830
1998 19 5,354
1997 20 6,679
1996 15 7,170
1995 21 7,878
1994 25 8,796
1993 32 10,224
1992 39 11,710
1991 27 13,347
1990 49 13,997
1989 77 15,205
1988 73 16,543
1987 74 17,674
1986 84 17,668
1985 85 19,964
1984 83 21,895
1983 101 23,474
1982 109 25,867
1981 97 28,005
1980 138 31,637
1979 129 34,051
1978 101 28,328
1977 92 26,880
1976 88 25,095
1975 92 24,169
1974 86 22,165

The history of the first name Melissa

The name Melissa has its origins in Greek mythology and language. Derived from the Greek word "melissa," meaning "honey bee," the name was initially associated with the priestesses of the goddess Demeter, who were known as "melissae" or "honey bees."

In ancient Greek culture, bees were revered for their industrious nature and their role in pollinating plants. The priestesses of Demeter were called melissae because they were believed to possess the same diligence and sweetness as honey bees. The name Melissa was therefore a symbolic representation of these qualities.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Melissa can be found in the writings of the ancient Greek poet Theocritus, who lived in the 3rd century BC. In his work, he mentions a character named Melissa, a nymph who was transformed into a bee by the goddess Demeter.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Melissa. One of the most famous was Melissa, the mother of the Roman emperor Antoninus Pius, who ruled from 138 to 161 AD. Another was Melissa, a 4th-century Christian martyr who was executed for her faith during the persecutions under the Roman emperor Maximian.

In the Middle Ages, the name Melissa appeared in various literary works, including the 12th-century French romance "Roman de la Rose" by Guillaume de Lorris and Jean de Meun. The name also gained popularity during the Renaissance period, with several notable figures bearing the name, such as Melissa Harsley (1589-1658), an English poet and translator.

Other notable historical figures named Melissa include Melissa Johnson (1619-1682), one of the first English settlers in the American colonies, and Melissa Hayden (1923-2006), an American ballet dancer and choreographer who performed with the American Ballet Theatre and the New York City Ballet.

Melissa has remained a popular name throughout the centuries, with its association with the natural world and its symbolic representation of diligence, sweetness, and industriousness. Despite its ancient roots, the name has endured and continues to be widely used today, a testament to its enduring appeal and cultural significance.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Melissa was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Melissa, please contact us.

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"Melissa first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on November 8, 2024. http://namecensus.com/first-names/melissa-meaning-and-history/.

"Melissa first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/melissa-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 8 November, 2024

Melissa first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/melissa-meaning-and-history/.

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