Melissa
Meaning: Honey bee, carrying resonance and character
Origin: Greek
Gender: Girl
Rank in Canada: #29
Total births: 27,675
History: From the Greek meaning bee. Melissa peaked in Canada in the 1980s. Melissa Fung is a celebrated Canadian journalist. A defining name of the Gen-X Canadian era.
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Look at the data
Every number here comes directly from Canada’s birth records. No estimates, no averages — just the counts.
| Current rank (2024) | #349 |
| Babies named Melissa in 2024 | 37 |
| Total recorded in Canada | 27,675 |
| Peak year | 1979 (1,452 babies) |
| Highest rank ever | #2 |
| Years in records | 1949–2024 (75 years of data) |
| Change over last 5 years | ↓ 6 spots |
Frequently asked about Melissa
What does the name Melissa mean?
Melissa means “Honey bee, carrying resonance and character” from Greek roots.
What is the origin of the name Melissa?
Melissa has Greek origin. The traditional meaning is “Honey bee, carrying resonance and character”.
How popular is Melissa in Canada?
Melissa ranked #349 in Canada in 2024 — given to 37 babies that year.
When was Melissa most popular?
Melissa peaked in 1979 with 1,452 babies registered that year in Canada.
Is Melissa a boy or girl name?
Melissa is predominantly a girls' name in Canada — over 90% of Melissas in registered births are female.
How long has Melissa been recorded in Canada?
Melissa appears in birth records in Canada across 75 years — from 1949 through 2024.