Girl Name · Greek Origin
Melissa
Melissa means “Servant of Jesus”. It is a girl's name of Greek origin, and in 2026 it sits in the Top 100 of US baby names.
Origin and meaning: English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0). Popularity: US Social Security Administration.
Considering Melissa? It is a girl name whose meaning is "Servant of Jesus", rooted in Greek naming tradition, and ranks in our Top 100 popularity tier. Phonetically it shares territory with Melisa.
Melissa meaning, origin, and usage
Meaning: Servant of Jesus
Origin: Greek naming roots help connect Melissa to related Greek baby names.
Pronunciation: Baby Name Studio pronounces Melissa as M·E·L·I·S·S·A, with 7 letters and a girl usage profile.
Popularity: According to Baby Name Studio's 2026 tracker, Melissa is a widely-loved, instantly-recognizable pick in the Top 100 tier.
Melissa variants, nicknames, middle names, and sibling names
- Variants and spelling ideas: Melissaa, Melissae, Melissay, Meliss.
- Nicknames: Meli and M.
- Middle names: Pair Melissa with a middle name that balances its substantial sound; start with the Melissa middle name generator.
- Sibling names: Melisa, Melyssa, Malissa, Malisa, Malachi — full picks on the sibling names for Melissa guide for a cohesive sibset.
- Similar names: Looking for names that sound like Melissa? Browse our names like Melissa guide for phonetic-neighbor picks.
- Explore more: use the Baby Name Explorer, name search, AI name generator, and Baby Name Studio homepage.
Compare Melissa side by side
Head-to-head breakdowns of meaning, popularity, pronunciation, and sibling fit.
Frequently asked about Melissa
What does the name Melissa mean?
Melissa means "Servant of Jesus" and is of Greek origin. The meaning is recorded in English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0), and in US records Melissa is used as a girl name.
What is the origin of Melissa?
Melissa originates in Greek naming tradition.
How do you pronounce Melissa?
Melissa has 7 letters and is most commonly stressed on the first syllable.
Is Melissa a boy's or girl's name?
Melissa is primarily used as a girl's name in US records.
How popular is Melissa in 2026?
In our 2026 popularity tracker, Melissa sits in the Top 100 tier — a widely-loved, instantly-recognizable pick.
What names are similar to Melissa?
Names that share Melissa's sound and style include Melisa, Melyssa, Malissa, Malisa, Malachi.
What middle names pair well with Melissa?
Good middle-name fits for Melissa pair an opposite syllable rhythm: if Melissa is short, lean longer (e.g. classical or three-syllable middles); if Melissa is longer, a one-syllable middle keeps the full name from feeling heavy.
What are good sibling names for Melissa?
Sibling names that pair naturally with Melissa share its rhythm without rhyming — Melisa, Melyssa, Malissa all sit comfortably alongside it on a shortlist.