Melissa
/məˈlɪs.ə/noun
A feminine given name of Greek origin, meaning 'honey bee'.
Did you know?In ancient mythology, Melissa was a nymph who cared for the infant Zeus, symbolizing nurturing and sweetness, yet also hidden dangers of the wild.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
μέλισσα (mélissa)
“honey bee, symbol of sweetness and nourishment.”
Late Latin
Latin
melissa
“adopted from Greek, maintaining the meaning of 'honey bee'.”
Old French
Old French
melisse
“a borrowing from Latin, used for both the plant and the name.”
14th Century
Middle English
melisse
“referring to the plant known as lemon balm, associated with sweetness.”
Modern English
English
Melissa
“common feminine name derived directly from the Greek, often associated with femininity and nature.”
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