Melissa
Name meaning, origin, pronunciation, and popularity rankings
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Melissa
ARPA
M AH0 L IH1 S AH0
IPA
məˈlɪsə
Pronunciation Breakdown
Detailed phonetic analysis of how to say Melissa
Syllables (3)
M AH0 L IH1 S AH0
Bold syllables indicate primary stress
Sound Breakdown
M
me (m)AH0
hut (ʌ)L
lee (l)IH1
it (ɪ)S
sea (s)AH0
hut (ʌ)International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA)
məˈlɪsə
Standard international representation
Pronunciation Tips
• This name has 3 syllables. Take your time with each part.
• Emphasize the syllable marked in bold for correct pronunciation.
Name Statistics
Key metrics and characteristics of Melissa
Structure
Character Count
7
Syllable Count
3
Vowel Ratio
43%
Name Family
meli
Usability
Pronunciation Difficulty3/10
Easy to pronounce
International Friendliness10/10
Works well across languages
Name DNA Profile
The unique character and personality of Melissa
Name Personality
The Global
Global
Adaptable
Modern
Key Characteristics
Length
Medium
Balanced and versatile
Rhythm
Melodic
Rich and expressive
Sound
Balanced
Mix of vowels and consonants
Ease
Simple
Easy for most speakers
Global
Universal
Works across cultures
Heritage
meli
Part of this name family
Letter Frequency
s×2
m×1
e×1
Most frequent letters in Melissa
Visual Pattern
Tall bars = vowels, Short bars = consonants
Name Statistics
📊
Syllables
3 syllables
🗣️
Ease of Pronunciation
Easy
3/10 difficulty
🌍
International Friendliness
Excellent
10/10 global ease
Pronunciation Difficulty Comparison
How does Melissa compare to the average name?
Melissa3/10 😊
3.0
Average Name5.0/10
5.0
Melissa is easier than average by 2.0 points.
Difficulty Scale:
Very Easy (0–2)
Easy (2–4)← Melissa
Moderate (4–6)
Challenging (6–8)
Difficult (9–11)
👨👩👧👦Name Family
Names related to Melissa (root: meli)
Current Name
Melissa
Related Names (10)
Short variations:
Meli
Melia
Medium variations:
Meliah
Meliame
Melian
Meliana
Meliani
Melianna
Melica
Melicent
Melissa belongs to a family of 10 related names.
Name Meaning
What Melissa means
English
1. a genus of Old World mints of the family Labiatae
Meaning Theme
The emotional tone and themes in Melissa's meanings
Primary Theme
📖
Descriptive
Based on origin, place, or historical context
Theme Distribution
Descriptive
1
Name Numerology
Numerological analysis and letter patterns for Melissa
Life Path Number
6
The Nurturer
Compassionate souls who find fulfillment in caring for others and creating harmony.
Caring
Responsible
Protective
Harmonious
Most Common Letters
s×2
m×1
e×1
l×1
i×1
Sound Composition
Vowels
3(43%)
Consonants
4(57%)
Consonant-heavy names tend to sound more crisp and strong
Numerology Breakdown
m4
e5
l3
i9
s1
s1
a1
Each letter is assigned a number (1-9). These are added together and reduced to find your Life Path Number.
Notable People Named Melissa
Famous individuals who share this name
👤
Melissa Price
American pole vaulter
Born: 1977
👤
Melissa Kirsch
American writer
Born: 1974
👤
Melissa Marse
American classical pianist
Born: 1974
👤
Melissa Pritchard
American writer
Born: 1948
👤
Melissa Reynard
cricketer (born 1972)
Born: 1972
👤
Melissa Russo
American television journalist
Born: 1968
👤
Melissa Ludtke
American journalist
Born: 1951
👤
Melissa Kite
journalist
Born: 1972
Country Rankings
How popular Melissa is around the world
| Country | Gender | Rank | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | girl | #92 | 2000-2000 |
| Austria | girl | #59 | 2014-2014 |
| Belgium | girl | #95 | 2000-2000 |
| Canada | girl | #80 | 2002-2002 |
| France | girl | #374 | 2018-2018 |
| Italy | girl | #42 | 2018-2018 |
| Netherlands | girl | #427 | 2019-2019 |
| Portugal | girl | #47 | 2018-2018 |
| Sweden | girl | #80 | 2019-2019 |
| Switzerland | girl | #61 | 2018-2018 |
| United Kingdom | girl | #222 | 2018-2018 |
| United States | boy | #995 | 1985-1985 |
| United States | girl | #297 | 2018-2018 |
Melissa Popularity in United States
Historical ranking trend for boys named Melissa
Lower rank numbers indicate higher popularity (e.g., #1 is most popular)
Melissa Popularity in United States
Historical ranking trend for girls named Melissa
Lower rank numbers indicate higher popularity (e.g., #1 is most popular)
Country Comparison
How Melissa ranks across different countries
Showing top 10 countries by ranking (lower rank = more popular)
Rhyming Words
Words that rhyme with Melissa
alissa
alyssa
clarissa
corissa
disa
garissa
issa
issah
lissa
marcissa
marisa
marissa
marsisa
nissa
nyssa
wissa
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you pronounce Melissa?
IPA: /məˈlɪsə/ ARPA: M AH0 L IH1 S AH0 This name is very easy to pronounce.
How many syllables are in Melissa?
Melissa has 3 syllables.
Is Melissa easy to pronounce?
Melissa is relatively easy to pronounce for most English speakers. It doesn't contain uncommon sound combinations.
Is Melissa easy to pronounce internationally?
Yes, Melissa is extremely international-friendly (10/10). It uses sounds that are common across many languages and cultures, making it easy for people worldwide to pronounce.
Who are some famous people named Melissa?
There are 100 notable people named Melissa. This name has significant cultural presence and recognition.
What names are similar to Melissa?
Names similar to Melissa include: Meli, Melia, Meliah, Meliame, Melian. These names share similar sounds or roots.
Is Melissa a good baby name?
Melissa makes an excellent baby name! It's easy to pronounce and internationally friendly, making it a great choice for parents looking for these qualities in a name.
Is Melissa a boy or girl name?
Melissa can be used for any gender, though usage varies by culture and region. Check the rankings section to see gender distribution patterns.
How do you spell Melissa?
The name is spelled Melissa. Common spelling variations include: Meli, Melia, Meliah.
What are common nicknames for Melissa?
Common nicknames for Melissa include: Mel, Meliy. Nicknames often develop naturally based on personal preference and family traditions.
What does the name Melissa mean?
The name Melissa means "Melissa\n n 1: a genus of Old World mints of the family Labiatae [syn:\n {Melissa}, {genus Melissa}]." This name carries significant cultural and historical weight, reflecting the traditions and values of the cultures from which it originates. The meaning of a name often influences how it is perceived and can hold special significance for families choosing this name for their child.
What middle names go well with Melissa?
Middle names that pair well with Melissa include: James, Rose, Grace. Consider the flow and rhythm when saying the full name aloud. Names with different syllable counts often create a pleasant cadence.
What sibling names pair well with Melissa?
Sibling names that pair well with Melissa include: Meli, Melia, Meliah, Meliame. These names share similar origins, sounds, or cultural backgrounds, creating a cohesive family naming theme.
Will teachers be able to pronounce Melissa?
Yes, Melissa is very straightforward to pronounce. Teachers and other adults will have no difficulty with this name. It uses common sound patterns that are familiar to most English speakers.
What culture is the name Melissa from?
Melissa has a multicultural heritage, with potential roots in multiple linguistic and cultural traditions. Many names have complex etymological paths, being borrowed, adapted, and adopted across different cultures throughout history. This cultural journey often enriches the name with multiple layers of meaning and significance, reflecting the interconnected nature of human societies and their naming traditions.
Is Melissa suitable for a professional career?
Melissa is well-suited for professional contexts. It's easy to pronounce in professional settings and internationally friendly for global careers. Names that are easy to say, spell, and remember often have advantages in career settings, though ultimately competence matters far more than name choice.
Is Melissa a long or short name?
Melissa is a medium-length name with 7 letters (3 syllables). Medium-length names offer a good balance - substantial enough to feel complete, but not overly long for forms and documents.
What are common misspellings of Melissa?
Common spelling variations of Melissa include: Melia, Meliana, Melica. Always verify the correct spelling with the parent.
What's the difference between Melissa and Meli?
Melissa and Meli are related names that share similar origins or sounds. Melissa is spelled Melissa while Meli is spelled Meli. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference, cultural background, or family tradition.