The Baby Name Wizard

Reader Contributions

Contribute to, or edit, this collection of community wisdom on the name Melissa!

Comments and insights on the name Melissa: | Edit

Alternate spelling: Milissa, Mellissa, Mellisa, Melyssa, M'lissa, Malysa, Malisa

Personal experiences with the name Melissa: | Edit

Extremely popular name in the 70's and 80's would be a familiar but not overly common name if used for an infant. Lots of nicknames, very frilly sweet sounding name. I hated my name growing up but only because it was extremely common and I always had to go by Melissa last initial. Nowadays if used that wouldn't be the case.

Nicknames for Melissa: | Edit

Missy, Mel, Lissa, Emme, Miss, Melis, Milli, Melly, Missa, Medu-Japanese version.

Meanings and history of the name Melissa: | Edit

In Greek mythology, Melissa was the name of a princess who was turned into a honey bee, hence the name's meaning, "Honeybee".

Famous real-life people named Melissa: | Edit

Melissa Etheridge, singer-songwriter;
Emme, plus-sized supermodel whose real name is Melissa;
Melissa Manchester, singer;
Melissa Gilbert, actress (Half-Pint on Little House on the Prairie);
Missy Misdemeanor Elliot (Melissa Arnette Elliot), rapper;
Melissa Joan Hart, American actress, singer, and director. Melissa Margera

Melissa in song, story & screen: | Edit

"Melissa"-- Allman Brothers Band