Melissa
How to say it: muh-LISS-uh · /məˈlɪsə/
From Greek melissa meaning 'honeybee'; linked to the nymph who discovered honey in Greek mythology.
Melissa was the 402nd most popular girls’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 747 babies (Social Security Administration). Its busiest decade was the 1970s, its births are down about 41% in ten years, and it is projected to slip to #479 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among girls’ names, 2025 | #402 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 747 |
| Share of births | 1 in 4,123 |
| Peak decade | 1970s |
| Change over 10 years | −41% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #479 |
| In France, 2025 | #246 among girls’ names, 230 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
A defining presence in the 1970s, Melissa now sits far below that peak. Further fading is likely ahead.
What goes with it
Hushed and honeyed, Melissa blends soft and breathy sounds into a gentle impression. Melanie and Sabrina share its style.
Parents who love Melissa also love
Nicknames
- Mel
- Missy
- Lisa
Honouring a Melissa in the family
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Melissa is about 1 in 172.
Around the world
This spelling is used in Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Italian, Norwegian, Portuguese, Swedish.
In France: #246 for girls in 2025.
England and Wales: #322. Ireland: #177.
Famous people named Melissa
- Melissa Leo (born 1960)American actress
- Melissa Joan Hart (born 1976)American actress
- Melissa Benoist (born 1988)American actress and singer
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
Good to know
- Hurricane Melissa (2025, Cat 5) retired by WMO in March 2026 after extreme damage in the Caribbean; too recent to be dominant
Keep exploring
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