Origin, Meaning, And History Of Melisa
Melisa is a spelling variation of Melissa that originates from ancient Greek and means ‘honeybee.’ The name comes from the Greek word ‘meli,’ which means ‘honey,’ and also refers to a herb from the mint family, lemon balm. Some believe Melisa has Gaelic origins, deriving from Maoilíosa, which means ‘servant of Christ.’
In Greek mythology, Melissa was a nymph with supernatural powers and was the child of a Cretan king, Melisseus. Legends say that she discovered the use of honey and taught it to the bees, completing the name’s meaning in its entirety. Melissa is also associated with the ancient Greek goddess Artemis, who is the moon goddess and takes away or alleviates pain during Childbirth. The name has variations in different cultures and languages, such as Malisa, Malissa, and Melessa in Greek, Mélisse in French, and Melosa in Spanish.
Although Melisa rarely finds mention in popular culture, its most common variation, Melissa, has been highly popular. Writers such as Charles Dickens, Rudyard Kipling, and Lawrence Durrell named their characters Melissa, contributing to the popularity of the name and its variants. Interestingly, May 27 is observed as National Melissa Day to celebrate all Melissas who have graced the world for centuries.
Melisa
How To Pronounce Melisa?
Melisa On The Popularity Chart
Melissa was fairly popular in the 1980s. Look at the 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 1980, 566 babies per million were named Melisa, which dropped to about 53 babies per million in 2021.
Source:Social Security AdministrationRank Over Time
The name was among the top 500 baby names in 1980. However, the name is ranked 3079 in 2021.
Source:Social Security AdministrationNames With Similar Sound As Melisa
Melisa sounds melodic. Here are some more names that sound like Melisa.
Popular Sibling Names For Melisa
Other Popular Names Beginning With M
Names With Same Meaning As Melisa
Do you want to explore more names that mean honey bee? Check out the options listed below.
Infographic: Know The Name’s Personality As Per Numerology
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How To Communicate The Name In Other Languages
In Nautical Flags
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In Sign Language
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In Braille Alphabet
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In Morse Code
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Name Numerology For Melisa
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the meaning of the name Melisa?
The name Melisa means bee, any of numerous hairy bodied insects including social and solitary species.
2. What is the origin of the name Melisa?
Melisa has a Greek and Spanish origin.
3. How to pronounce the name Melisa?
Melisa is pronounced as muh-lih-suh.
