English

Etymology

From the μέλισσα (mélissa), meaning "bee", "honey", "honeybee".

• In Ireland it is sometimes used as a feminine form of the Gaelic male name Maolíosa "servant of Jesus".

Pronunciation

Proper noun

1. bee|Bee-nymph in Greek mythology.
2. . Popular in the latter half of the 20th century.

Quotations

• 1596 Edmund Spenser: The Faerie Queene. Book 6, Canto XII:
• : And her owne handmayd, that Melissa hight
• : Appointed to attend her dewly day and night
• 1841 Charles Dickens: The Old Curiosity Shop. Chapman and Hall 1841. page 123:
• : Miss Melissa Wackles was the eldest daughter, Miss Sophy the next, and Miss Jane the youngest.
• 1959 Nicholas Blake: The Widow's Cruise. page 9:
• : - - - by Mrs. Melissa Blaydon and Miss Ianthe Ambrose.
• : "Well, they may be sisters," said Nigel. "Those elegant, classical Christian names suggest one father.

Translations

• Danish:
• French:
• German:

• Italian:
• Swedish:

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Danish

Proper noun

1. , cognate to #English|Melissa.

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German

Proper noun

1. , cognate to #English|Melissa.

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Italian

Proper noun

1. , cognate to #English|Melissa.

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Swedish

Proper noun

1. , cognate to #English|Melissa.

de:Melissa it:Melissa sr:Melissa tr:Melissa