Melissa - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Melissa [ muh-lis-uh ]^[1] is a name given for females. The name is Greek and it means honey bee. It also refers to the plant lemon balm. Melissa is an exquisite name that has enjoyed popularity for centuries. It has a fascinating history and profound significance. The name Melissa originates from the Greek language and is derived from the word "melissa," which translates to honeybee. In Greek mythology, Melissa was a nymph who nurtured and looked after Zeus during his infancy. She nourished him with honey and concealed him from others. Zeus was immensely grateful to Melissa for her care and transformed her into a bee, hence the name Melissa became synonymous with bees and honey.^[2] The name Melissa was not popular in the US until around the 1950s; it was popular between the years 1960 and 1991. During the year 2010, fewer than 2,500 girls in the USA were given the name. Famous celebrities with this name include Melissa Joan Hart. This name was ranked #372 on the US Popular Names in 2021.^[3]

• Melissa Gilbert, actress and director
• Melissa Etheridge, American singer-songwriter
• Melissa Joan Hart, American actress
• Melissa Cristina Márquez, marine biologist

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