Melisa is a name of Greek origin, derived from the word "melissa", which means "bee". In Greek mythology, Melissa was the daughter of a bee and a nymph named Hymenaeus. She was said to be very wise and kind-hearted, and was often depicted as a woman with bee wings.
The name Melisa has been popular throughout history, appearing in various forms across different cultures. For example, it is known as Melissa in Greek, Melissa in Italian, and Melanie or Melissa in English-speaking countries. In some cases, the name may also be spelled Melisse, Meliessa, or Melesia.
Throughout history, there have been several notable figures with the name Melisa. One of the most famous was Saint Melissa, a Christian martyr who lived in the 3rd century. She is said to have performed many miracles and was eventually canonized by the Catholic Church. Other notable individuals with the name include the French poet and playwright Melisande Gazeau (1859-1926) and the American singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge (born 1972).
Overall, Melisa is a beautiful and unique name with a rich history and meaningful origins. Whether you're looking for a name that means "bee" or simply love its sound, Melisa is sure to make a statement wherever it's heard.
The name Melisa has seen a fascinating journey in terms of its popularity over the years in the United States. Between 1948 and 2023, there have been a total of 19,001 births with the name Melisa.
The trend started quite slowly, with only five babies named Melisa born each year from 1948 to 1950. However, things began to pick up in 1951 when thirteen babies were given this name, marking a significant increase compared to previous years.
By 1967, the number of newborn girls named Melisa had reached 482, indicating that the name was gaining traction among parents during this period. This trend continued through the late 1960s and early 1970s, with the highest peak in popularity occurring in 1973 when 638 babies were named Melisa.
However, like many names, Melisa's popularity began to decline after reaching its zenith. From 1974 onwards, there was a gradual decrease in the number of newborn girls being named Melisa each year. By 1982, this figure had dropped below 500 for the first time since 1966.
The late 1980s and early 1990s saw another slight resurgence in the popularity of the name Melisa, with over 300 babies being named Melisa each year between 1988 and 1992. However, this was short-lived as the numbers began to decline once again.
Since the turn of the century, the name Melisa has become less common in the United States. In recent years, fewer than 100 babies have been named Melisa annually, with just 54 births recorded in 2023 so far. Despite this decline in popularity, it is clear that Melisa remains a meaningful and significant name for many families across America, as evidenced by the continued occurrence of newborns bearing this name each year.
In conclusion, the statistics demonstrate an interesting trajectory for the name Melisa over time, from its slow start to reaching remarkable heights of popularity before ultimately experiencing a decline. Nevertheless, it is clear that Melisa continues to hold some level of significance and appeal to parents even today.