Melisse

Meaning & origin

Melisse is a rare and delicate variant of the more familiar Melissa. The name first appeared in U.S. records in 1939, suggesting a mid-20th-century coinage, though it never achieved widespread popularity. Its peak year was 1975, likely reflecting the broader popularity of Melissa and similar floral-sounding names during that decade. Since then, Melisse has remained stable but exceedingly uncommon, with no recent top-1000 rank recorded as of 2025. The name's appeal lies in its French-accented spelling and soft sound, making it a distinctive choice for parents seeking an alternative to the more common Melissa. With no top states reporting significant usage, Melisse remains a scattered, lightly used name across the country.

Melisse appears to be a variant or French-influenced spelling of Melissa, which derives from Greek μέλισσα (melissa) meaning 'bee'. The name Melissa was used in Greek mythology for a nymph who discovered honey, and it became common in the English-speaking world in the 20th century. Melisse likely emerged as a less common variant, possibly influenced by French pronunciation or spelling patterns.