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Malissa

Girl name · 6 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Malissa: 6 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 3 births in 1988.

Malissa is a modern spelling variant of Melissa, a name rooted in ancient Greek, where *melissa* means "honey bee." In Greek mythology, Melissa was a nymph who discovered honey and taught its use to humans. The most famous bearer is likely the American actress Malissa Feruzzi, known for her work in independent films, though the name’s more common spelling, Melissa, has been borne by numerous celebrities, including singer Melissa Etheridge. Places sharing the same etymological root include the town of Melissa in Texas, named after the lemon balm plant, itself from the Greek *melissa*. While Malissa remains less common than Melissa, it offers a distinctive twist on a classic, nature-inspired name with sweet, industrious connotations.

Girl 2 of 52 years

Peak year
19883 babies
Latest (1999)
#6213 babies
Total births
6since 1988
5-year trend
≈ stablevs prior 5y
1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 1988 · 3
Births per year in Scotland. Missing years had a count of 2 or fewer (suppressed by NRS).