Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Melisa is a name of Greek origin, meaning 'bee' or 'honey.' It evolved from the Ancient Greek 'Melissa' to its modern form. The name is often associated with sweetness and has gained popularity since the 1960s. It does not have biblical relevance, and variants include Melissa and Mel. Notable individuals with this name include actress Melisa McCarthy and singer-songwriter Melisa Etheridge.
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/məˈliːsə/
Origin
Greek
Etymology
The name Melisa is derived from the Greek word 'melissa,' meaning 'bee.' It is often associated with honey and sweetness.
Meaning
bee, honey
Language Evolution
Melissa (Ancient Greek), Melisa (Modern adaptation)
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in the 20th century, particularly in English-speaking countries, and has been widely used since the 1960s.
Variants & Derivatives
Melissa, Mel, Lisa
Modern Popularity & Image
Melisa is perceived as a sweet and gentle name, often associated with femininity and kindness.
Famous People
Melisa McCarthy (actress), Melisa Etheridge (singer-songwriter)
📊 Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Name Visualizations
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Moderately Popular name with 661 peak births in 1979
Geographic Spread
Popular across 46 US states, with strongest presence in California
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 6 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Alternative Spellings & Similar Sounds (10 Variations)
Explore names that share identical pronunciation with different spellings. These variations offer alternative options for parents seeking unique yet familiar-sounding choices. This curated collection includes 10 carefully selected variations that maintain the same phonetic sound while providing distinct spelling options.
Why consider alternative spellings? Different spellings can offer unique cultural significance or personal preference while maintaining the familiar sound. This collection covers various spelling patterns, helping you find variations that match your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 9331st of 10718 | 10 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 1147th of 12526 | 1,533 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 400th of 19264 | 8,802 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 656th of 27321 | 4,954 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 1218th of 35406 | 2,965 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 2633rd of 30306 | 800 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
48.90% 1089th/2227 |
66.58% 1618th/2430 |
28.57% 815th/2853 |
41.05% 1139th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
12.56% 369th/2937 |
15.42% 537th/3483 |
9.86% 347th/3518 |
10.73% 434th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
18.32% 675th/3685 |
14.32% 641st/4475 |
14.84% 771st/5194 |
9.24% 584th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
34.18% 1566th/4582 |
19.54% 1009th/5164 |
18.69% 1367th/7313 |
13.96% 1042nd/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
66.44% 2647th/3984 |
51.75% 2322nd/4487 |
36.97% 2522nd/6822 |
34.43% 2161st/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity
This map shows relative popularity across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends in the United States
This name shows strongest popularity in California across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Generation X (Gen X) generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, usage has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, too falling for female in South, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. Across generations, popularity patterns vary significantly: Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 9331st out of 10718 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 1147th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 400th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 656th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 1218th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 2633rd out of 30306 names. Explore how this name has evolved through American history with comprehensive regional and generational analysis.