Melissa Dent

Name meaning, origin and global statistics

Melissa Dent — honey bee
716K People worldwide
United States Most common in
1970s Peak popularity
Gender
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Melissa Dent is a name that combines Greek origins. The first name Melissa is a feminine given name of Greek origin. Melissa is a feminine given name. The name comes from the Greek word μέλισσα (mélissa), "bee", which in turn comes from μέλι (meli), "honey". In Hittite, melit signifies "honey". Melissa is a common variant form, with others being Malissa, Melesa, Melessa, Meliza, Mellisa, Melosa, and Molissa. According to Greek mythology, perhaps reflecting Minoan culture, making her the daughter of a Cretan king Melisseus, whose -issos ending is Pre-Greek, Melissa was a nymph who discovered and taught the use of honey and from whom bees were believed to have received their name. The surname Dent: Dent is an English surname with two primary origins: a habitational name from places called Dent in Yorkshire and Cumbria, and a nickname derived from the Old French word dent meaning "tooth". Etymology and origin The surname most likely originates as a locational name from the villages of Dent in West Yorkshire and Cumberland—recorded circa 1200 as "Denet" and "Dinet"—from a British hill-name akin to Old Irish dinn/dind ("hill") and Old Norse tindr ("point, crag"). Alternatively, it may have arisen as a medieval nickname for someone notable for their teeth, from Old French *dent* (tooth). Melissa is a well-known first name, carried by approximately 716K people globally, with the highest concentration in United States. The name Melissa reached peak popularity in the 1970s, reflecting the naming trends of that era.

Etymology & Origin

First Name: Melissa

Meaning: honey bee

Greek

Melissa is a feminine given name. The name comes from the Greek word μέλισσα (mélissa), "bee", which in turn comes from μέλι (meli), "honey". In Hittite, melit signifies "honey". Melissa is a common variant form, with others being Malissa, Melesa, Melessa, Meliza, Mellisa, Melosa, and Molissa. According to Greek mythology, perhaps reflecting Minoan culture, making her the daughter of a Cretan king Melisseus, whose -issos ending is Pre-Greek, Melissa was a nymph who discovered and taught the use of honey and from whom bees were believed to have received their name.

Surname: Dent

Norse

Dent is an English surname with two primary origins: a habitational name from places called Dent in Yorkshire and Cumbria, and a nickname derived from the Old French word dent meaning "tooth". Etymology and origin The surname most likely originates as a locational name from the villages of Dent in West Yorkshire and Cumberland—recorded circa 1200 as "Denet" and "Dinet"—from a British hill-name akin to Old Irish dinn/dind ("hill") and Old Norse tindr ("point, crag"). Alternatively, it may have arisen as a medieval nickname for someone notable for their teeth, from Old French *dent* (tooth).

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Geographic Distribution

The first name Melissa is distributed across the globe, with the highest concentrations in the following countries:

United States 51%
United Kingdom 27%
Australia 12%
Canada 9%

Popularity Over Time

Popularity of the name Melissa by decade, based on birth registration data:

1900s
1910s
1920s
1930s
1940s
1950s
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s
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Notable People Named Melissa Dent

People listed above share this name. Listed for informational purposes only. Source: Wikipedia.

Numerology

According to Pythagorean numerology, each letter in a name carries a numerical value. Here are the key numbers for Melissa Dent:

4
Expression Number

Stability and hard work. Represents practicality, reliability and dedication — someone who builds solid foundations.

2
Soul Urge Number

Cooperation and sensitivity. A diplomatic, gentle nature with strong empathy, thriving in partnerships and harmony.

2
Personality Number

Cooperation and sensitivity. A diplomatic, gentle nature with strong empathy, thriving in partnerships and harmony.

Numerology is a cultural tradition for exploring symbolism in names. Results are for entertainment purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the origin of the first name Melissa?
The first name Melissa originates from Greek. Melissa is a feminine given name. The name comes from the Greek word μέλισσα (mélissa), "bee", which in turn comes from μέλι (meli), "honey". In Hittite, melit signifies "honey". Melissa is a common variant form, with others being Malissa, Melesa, Melessa, Meliza, Mellisa, Melosa, and Molissa. According to Greek mythology, perhaps reflecting Minoan culture, making her the daughter of a Cretan king Melisseus, whose -issos ending is Pre-Greek, Melissa was a nymph who discovered and taught the use of honey and from whom bees were believed to have received their name.
When was Melissa most popular?
The name Melissa reached its peak popularity during the 1970s.
What is the origin of the surname Dent?
The surname Dent originates from Norse. Dent is an English surname with two primary origins: a habitational name from places called Dent in Yorkshire and Cumbria, and a nickname derived from the Old French word dent meaning "tooth". Etymology and origin The surname most likely originates as a locational name from the villages of Dent in West Yorkshire and Cumberland—recorded circa 1200 as "Denet" and "Dinet"—from a British hill-name akin to Old Irish dinn/dind ("hill") and Old Norse tindr ("point, crag"). Alternatively, it may have arisen as a medieval nickname for someone notable for their teeth, from Old French *dent* (tooth).
What are the origins of the name Melissa Dent?
The name Melissa Dent combines two different traditions: the first name Melissa has Greek roots, while the surname Dent originates from Norse.
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