How to say Melissa
PRONUNCIATION:  "meh-li-ssah" or "muhl-ih-ssuh"

My Melissa History
Prior to 1960 (in Australia, where I am) the name Melissa was rather rare. It started becoming more fashionable in Australian useage only from the late 1960s onwards. Finding Melissa's in their 40s and 50s now is quite uncommon. I was the only Melissa at my primary school, I don't remember any other Melissa's at my high school either. My mother used to call me 'Lissy Loo' and only called me Melissa if I was in trouble...  I hated my name so much at high school I changed it to Lisa. I was also burdened with a very long Polish surname. It was dreadfully embarrassing EVERY time I was asked my name to be greeted with "Whaat?"  Once I matured more and began my career as a journalist, I switched back to Melissa and with a surname beginning with B and a name essentially meaning honeybee Melissa [HunnyBee] BEE is me. The stuff on this page is about MELISSA's from all walks of life and ages and from all over the world. --Melissa BEE

Melissa
A 3-syllable girl's name of Greek origin, means: A bee; industrious. 
Entertainers with this name include * Melissa Gilbert (Television) * Melissa Etheridge (Musicians) . Melissa is the 40th most popular girl's name. Melissa is also a name in the category of  Flowers. 

More on the name of Melissa
Dear Melissa: The following analysis describes a few qualities of your first name. There are many additional factors (legal name, nicknames, family surname, combined names, previous names, and business signature) that contribute to your entire personality - and your entire life. 

Your name of Melissa gives you a clever mind, good business judgment, a sense of responsibility, and an appreciation of the finer things of life. You are serious-minded and not inclined to make light of things even in little ways, and in your younger years you had more mature interests than others your age. Home and family mean a great deal to you and it is natural that you should desire the security of a peaceful, settled home environment where you can enjoy the companionship of family and friends. Whatever you set out to accomplish you do your very best to complete in accordance with what you consider to be right. In the home you assume your responsibilities capably, having the self-confidence to form your own opinions and make your own decisions. Others can rely on you; once you have given your word you will do your utmost to fulfil a responsibility. However, there is a tendency to be a little too independent in your thinking and it is difficult for you to accept the help of others when you should. Due to your strong sense of responsibility, you could experience worry and mental turmoil through assuming more responsibility than you should. Friction could arise through others feeling that you were interfering with their rights and privileges, even though you are only trying to help. 

Origin of the name Melissa
The name Melissa is derived from Greek mythology.  Melissa was a nymph that cared for the infant Zeus while he was being hidden from his father, the king of the gods.  Melissa plundered bee hives in order to feed honey to Zeus, who developed a permanent sweet tooth. When Melissa's role in protecting Zeus was discovered, she was turned into some lowly species of insect. Zeus later took pity on her and turned her into a honeybee, which is forever involved with making honey. (Parenthetical note:  if Zeus had meant to do Melissa a favor, why didn't he turn her back into a nymph instead?)  See THE MELISSA BOOK for an up-to-date version.

The Melissa Club
See THE MELISSA BOOK for an up-to-date version.

The Melissa Web Ring
See THE MELISSA BOOK for an up-to-date version.

Melissa Music 
See THE MELISSA BOOK for the history of this song and all the lyrics and famous people named after it.

Melissa Actors 
See THE MELISSA BOOK for an up-to-date version.

Melissa Art 
Dosso Dossi   Circe or Melissa (1531 ca.) oil on canvas cm. The painting was made around 1530 under the influence of the Ariosto's poetry.
J.D.Starr's Painting 'Melissa' 
Melissa's Myriad
Melissa's Tulips

See THE MELISSA BOOK for an up-to-date version.

Melissa Artists
See THE MELISSA BOOK for an up-to-date version.

Melissa's that are NOT people 

Melissa Blue   (Lycaeides melissa)
A beautiful blue butterfly that inhabits North America..

 See THE MELISSA BOOK for an up-to-date version.

Melissa Flora 

 

See THE MELISSA BOOK for more!

My first name is Melissa
My last name is Flora, 
making me Melissa Flora 
just like the plant !! 
-- MF  (Guestbook) 22nd Jan 2002

---

Bee Balm
name for several herbs, especially Melissa officinalis and Monarda didyma, both typical perennials of the family Labiatae (mint family) named for their fragrance, attractive to bees and hummingbirds. Melissa [Gr.,=bee] officinalis, called bee balm or lemon balm, was introduced to North America from the Mediterranean area, where it has long been cultivated for its lemonlike odor and flavor and, formerly, as a curative for many ailments. The leaves and the oil distilled from them (known as melissa or balm) are widely used for seasonings and beverages. Monarda didyma, also called Oswego tea, is native to E North America and was used, along with other species of Monarda, by the Native Americans and colonists for tea. It is also cultivated as an ornamental for its terminal cluster of red blossoms (sometimes pink in garden varieties). Oswego tea is similar and closely related to wild bergamot. The names bergamot and balm are also used for other plants. Bee balm is classified in the division Magnoliophyta, class Magnoliopsida, order Lamiales, family Labiatae.

Melissa Fauna (bees!) 
See THE MELISSA BOOK for an up-to-date version.

The Melissa Virus 

See THE MELISSA BOOK for the whole story!

Melissa Virus :
Access Orlando & The Melissa Virus
Melissa Virus FAQ   

Other Stuff

The Greek Alphabet:  The Greek Alphabet