Melissa
/məˈlɪsə/
noun
Origin
Ancient Greek
μέλι (méli) — honey
Overview
Meaning Now
- A female given name derived from the Greek word for honeybee.
- A genus of herbaceous plants in the mint family, specifically the lemon balm (Melissa officinalis).
Literal older meaning
honeybee
Language path
Ancient Greek → Latin → English
Earliest form
μέλισσα (mélissa)
Earliest period
8th century BC
Journey
In Greek mythology, Melissa was a nymph who was said to be the first to teach the use of honey. Because bees were considered sacred and associated with purity and industry, the name carried connotations of sweetness and domestic virtue.
Evolution
- Ancient Greek
μέλισσα
“bee”
Derived from meli (honey) + -issa suffix.
- Middle Ages
Melissa
“A mythological figure/proper name”
Used in Greek mythology as a nymph who discovered honey.
- 18th Century
Melissa
“Given name”
Gained popularity as a female given name in the English-speaking world.
Connections
Word parts
meli
root
honey
issa
suffix
feminine agentive suffix
Related across languages
Latin
honey
Related words
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Related to Melissa
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.