noun
Common
melissa
muh-LIH-suh
Melissa (noun) means Lemon balm, a fragrant herb often used in teas and traditional remedies for calming the nerves. Example: “She grows melissa in the garden to make a soothing evening tea.”
noun
1
Lemon balm, a fragrant herb often used in teas and traditional remedies for calming the nerves.
"She grows melissa in the garden to make a soothing evening tea."
"A sprig of melissa in hot water makes a gentle, lemony tea."
"The bees love the melissa flowering by the back wall."
name
1
A female given name derived from the Greek word for "bee."
"The first line of dialogue is from an off-screen Field Commander Melissa Lewis (Jessica Chastain), asking the team to stay in sight and “make NASA proud”."
— , GENIUS CHARACTER REVEALS: Mark Watney (2016)
"Melissa studied biology before switching to law."
"- - - by Mrs. Melissa Blaydon and Miss Ianthe Ambrose. "Well, they may be sisters," said Nigel. "Those elegant, classical Christian names suggest one father."
— Nicholas Blake, The Widow's Cruise (1959)
How to use melissa
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the herb lemon balm, or a common first name meaning "bee."
Common pairings
melissa tea
lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)
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Word forms
- Plural
- melissas
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She grows _____ in the garden to make a soothing evening tea.
Etymology
From Ancient Greek melissa, meaning "bee" — the herb was named for how strongly it attracts bees.
Synonyms
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lemon balm
Rhymes for melissa
See all rhymes for melissa →Frequently asked questions
What does “melissa” mean?
The word “melissa” means lemon balm, a fragrant herb often used in teas and traditional remedies for calming the nerves. In plain terms, either the herb lemon balm, or a common first name meaning "bee.".
How do you pronounce “melissa”?
“Melissa” is pronounced muh-LIH-suh (/məˈlɪsə/ in IPA).
How do you use “melissa” in a sentence?
Here is “melissa” used in a sentence: “She grows melissa in the garden to make a soothing evening tea.”
What part of speech is “melissa”?
Depending on how it is used, “melissa” can be a noun and a name.
Where does the word “melissa” come from?
The word “melissa” comes from Ancient Greek. From Ancient Greek melissa, meaning "bee" — the herb was named for how strongly it attracts bees.
Is “melissa” a common word?
“Melissa” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “melissa” have?
“Melissa” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: lemon balm, a fragrant herb often used in teas and traditional remedies for calming the nerves.
What is the difference between melissa and lemon balm?
Melissa and lemon balm refer to the same herb; "melissa" is often used in scientific, herbal, or perfumery contexts, while "lemon balm" is the everyday name in cooking and gardening. Both describe a fragrant plant used in teas and traditional calming remedies.
Is Melissa a common first name?
Yes, Melissa is a well-established female given name derived from the Greek word for "bee." It has been popular across English-speaking countries for decades, alongside its use as the name of the lemon balm herb.
Why is lemon balm called melissa in herbal products?
Herbal and pharmaceutical products often use "melissa" because it is the plant's Latin genus name, Melissa officinalis, giving it a more formal, scientific ring than the common name lemon balm. You'll see this especially on essential oils and supplement labels.
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