Etymology

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

Proper noun

1. 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.

Proper noun

1. , cognate to Melissa.

Proper noun

1. , cognate to Melissa.

Proper noun

1. , cognate to Melissa.

Proper noun

1. , cognate to Melissa.