Holding steady, #7,885 for girls today.
Popularity of Melis since 1987
Babies named Melis per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 13 |
| 1990s | 45 |
| 2000s | 108 |
| 2010s | 115 |
| 2020s | 63 |
Meaning & origin
Melis is a name of uncertain origin, with competing derivations from Greek and Turkish. It first appeared in U.S. records in 1987 and has remained relatively uncommon, with a peak in 2015. As of 2025, it ranks 7,885 and is given to roughly 1 in 123,636 babies, indicating a stable but rare usage. The name has not been significantly associated with any particular state or cultural tradition in the United States, making it a distinctive choice for parents seeking a name with a gentle sound and cross-cultural appeal.
Melis is a modern name of uncertain origin. In Turkish, Melis is a feminine name meaning 'sweet' or 'honey,' derived from the Persian word 'malas.' It may also be a variant of Melissa, which comes from the Greek word for 'bee.' The name has been used in Turkey and occasionally in other cultures, but its exact derivation is debated.
“Melis” around the world
Where Melis lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
15
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Meli, Lisi
Variants: Melissa
Sibling names for Melis
Names that share Melis's style, for a brother or sister.
