Melissa

[AfternoonSwoon]

I believe it means Honeybee.
What are your thoughts about Melissa..?

Very 80s to me and I'm not a fan of the "ss" sound.

Lovely name.

Love it.

The only drawback for me is that Mel is inevitable, and while it's not an awful nickname I associate it with Melanie, which is quite dated and not as nice IMO as Melissa.

But that's a tiny drawback. The meaning is lovely, it's pretty, it's simple, and it has substance, not just a string of sounds.

Love it!

I know a Melissa and it's never been shortened to Mel, so it's not a given.

It's a pleasant change.

One of my childhood friends was Melissa (primary together in the 90s.) Her mum used to call her Liss but the rest of us used to just call her Melissa. It was quite unusual then in a class full of Katies and Beckys and Sarahs and Victorias! I think it’s got quite an American feel

It definitely does feel slightly glam and special compared to the names I grew up with too! (Sarah, Laura, Emma, Becky, Vicky, Sam...)

Like it but as others have said, dislike Mel unfortunately. I prefer Alyssa or Clarissa

I don't mind it - don't think it's very distinguished - but on the other hand it's pretty and there aren't many of them.

Only thing is... Mel as a nn.

Otherwise... Cassia, Alicia, Clarissa, Marina....

I've always liked Melissa, such a pretty name. Dislike Mel though.

Lovely. Lissy is a sweet nn.

I like it. Similar to Marissa.

Ahem I have some personal experience with this name and will try not be offended by the apparently universal belief on MN that my chosen nn is awful.

But it is chosen as I spent my entire childhood being called either my full name or Liss/Lissy. And those names didn’t suit me when I grew up so at Uni I switched to Mel. And I’ve happily been that for decades now and refuse to accept it is a horrible name. Every Melissa/Melinda/Melanie I know is a Mel and all by their own choice, not because someone has imposed a frightful name on them. It’s a strong woman’s name IMO.

Anyway I’ve always liked my name, it has never been particularly popular and the only downside of the nn is people assume what your full name is instead of asking.

I love it

Lovely

I think it's very dated.

Lovely name .

I really like it, and Lissa or Lissie, I wouldn't choose to shorten it to Mel but I don't hate that either.

I like lovely names that are slightly unexpected atm, along the same lines are Laura, Samantha, Amanda and Jennifer

I like the name Melissa.

I think Melissa is pretty, but really hate Mel as a nickname. If you don’t mind Mel then I’d say go for it.

I know two, both very lovely. One is known as Mel, which suits her - but is very different to Melissa. As others have said, only use it if you'd be ok with it being shortened to Mel.

I don't know what's wrong with Mel. But I like Melissa. And Michaela.

How can Melissa be dated when we overrun with old lady names like Edith Mabel and Grace ?!

It’s a lovely name and actually I love the nicknames Mel and Melly.

I really don't like Melissa. Marisa is lovely as a similar alternative! I don't like Mel names in general - Melanie is equally awful.