Melissa is of Greek origin, derived from the word 'melissa', which means 'honeybee'. It gained popularity during the Victorian era and has since been a beloved choice for parents. The name Melissa has been used by notable individuals such as American actress Melissa Gilbert and Australian singer Melissa Tkautz.
"Melissa was a popular name for newborn girls from the late 60s to the mid-80s, with peaks in 1972, 1981, and 1984. However, it seems to have lost some popularity after that, as births dropped below 5 per year starting in 1990."