Melissa
Every Melissa since 1880 — 762,623 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Melissa
Melissa is moderately common for girls in the United States, ranked #420 in 2025 with 747 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 762,623 American babies have been named Melissa. Its peak came in 1979, when 34,179 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1970s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Melissa stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Melissa year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 747 | #420 | — | — |
| 2024 | 826 | #379 | — | — |
| 2023 | 744 | #411 | — | — |
| 2022 | 823 | #379 | — | — |
| 2021 | 836 | #372 | — | — |
| 2020 | 887 | #349 | — | — |
| 2019 | 933 | #340 | — | — |
| 2018 | 1,117 | #299 | — | — |
| 2017 | 1,170 | #275 | — | — |
| 2016 | 1,236 | #260 | — | — |
| 2015 | 1,283 | #253 | 5 | #13,382 |
| 2014 | 1,509 | #224 | — | — |
| 2013 | 1,592 | #202 | — | — |
| 2012 | 1,772 | #178 | — | — |
| 2011 | 1,709 | #184 | — | — |
| 2010 | 1,951 | #156 | — | — |
| 2009 | 2,338 | #137 | — | — |
| 2008 | 2,517 | #134 | 7 | #10,646 |
| 2007 | 2,505 | #137 | 6 | #11,868 |
| 2006 | 2,893 | #117 | 5 | #13,354 |
| 2005 | 3,085 | #104 | 11 | #6,949 |
| 2004 | 3,339 | #98 | 7 | #9,602 |
| 2003 | 3,502 | #96 | 8 | #8,357 |
| 2002 | 3,769 | #80 | 8 | #8,189 |
| 2001 | 4,145 | #74 | 12 | #5,902 |
| 2000 | 4,532 | #71 | 8 | #7,941 |
| 1995 | 7,879 | #35 | 21 | #3,268 |
| 1990 | 14,000 | #20 | 49 | #1,680 |
| 1985 | 19,963 | #11 | 85 | #994 |
| 1980 | 31,629 | #4 | 138 | #747 |
| 1975 | 24,168 | #4 | 92 | #869 |
| 1970 | 23,735 | #7 | 70 | #964 |
| 1965 | 10,563 | #38 | 26 | #1,546 |
| 1960 | 4,412 | #109 | 9 | #3,009 |
| 1955 | 2,416 | #149 | — | — |
| 1950 | 980 | #240 | — | — |
| 1945 | 186 | #532 | — | — |
| 1940 | 95 | #716 | — | — |
| 1935 | 63 | #872 | — | — |
| 1930 | 57 | #976 | — | — |
| 1925 | 55 | #1,017 | — | — |
| 1920 | 59 | #956 | — | — |
| 1915 | 67 | #805 | — | — |
| 1910 | 47 | #614 | — | — |
| 1905 | 30 | #650 | — | — |
| 1900 | 40 | #536 | — | — |
| 1895 | 41 | #448 | — | — |
| 1890 | 42 | #390 | — | — |
| 1885 | 45 | #299 | — | — |
| 1880 | 33 | #274 | — | — |
Famous people named Melissa
- Melissa McBride Actor · b. 1965
- Melissa Leo Actor · b. 1960
- Melissa McCarthy Comedian · b. 1970
- Melissa Gilbert Actor · b. 1964
- Melissa Sue Anderson Actor · b. 1962
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Melissa in 2025?
Melissa ranked #420 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 747 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Melissa?
762,623 babies have been named Melissa in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Melissa most popular?
Melissa peaked in 1979, when 34,179 newborns received the name.
Is Melissa a boy or girl name?
Melissa is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Melissa rising or falling?
Melissa is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Melissa?
Well-known people named Melissa include Melissa McBride (actor), Melissa Leo (actor), Melissa McCarthy (comedian).