Melissa Dufour

Name meaning, origin and global statistics

Melissa Dufour — honey bee
716K People worldwide
United States Most common in
1970s Peak popularity
Gender
Advertisement

Melissa Dufour 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 Dufour: Alma Dufour (born 1990), French politician Amanda Ruter Dufour (1822–1899), American poet Antoine Dufour (born 1979), French-Canadian acoustic guitarist Barry Dufour (born 1942), British academic and author Bernard Dufour (1922–2016), French painter Camille Dufour (1925–2025), French trade unionist and politician Carmen Dufour (born 1954), Swiss author Catherine Dufour (born 1966), French SF and fantasy writer Cathrine Dufour (born 1992), Danish Olympic dressage rider and influencer Charles Dufour (born 1940), Archbishop emeritus of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kingston, Jamaica Charles L. 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: Dufour

French

Alma Dufour (born 1990), French politician Amanda Ruter Dufour (1822–1899), American poet Antoine Dufour (born 1979), French-Canadian acoustic guitarist Barry Dufour (born 1942), British academic and author Bernard Dufour (1922–2016), French painter Camille Dufour (1925–2025), French trade unionist and politician Carmen Dufour (born 1954), Swiss author Catherine Dufour (born 1966), French SF and fantasy writer Cathrine Dufour (born 1992), Danish Olympic dressage rider and influencer Charles Dufour (born 1940), Archbishop emeritus of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kingston, Jamaica Charles L.

Advertisement

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
Advertisement

Notable People Named Melissa Dufour

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 Dufour:

1
Expression Number

Leadership and independence. This number suggests a self-reliant, ambitious and pioneering personality that forges its own path.

9
Soul Urge Number

Compassion and humanitarianism. A generous, idealistic nature with a sincere desire to improve the world.

1
Personality Number

Leadership and independence. This number suggests a self-reliant, ambitious and pioneering personality that forges its own path.

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 Dufour?
The surname Dufour originates from French. Alma Dufour (born 1990), French politician Amanda Ruter Dufour (1822–1899), American poet Antoine Dufour (born 1979), French-Canadian acoustic guitarist Barry Dufour (born 1942), British academic and author Bernard Dufour (1922–2016), French painter Camille Dufour (1925–2025), French trade unionist and politician Carmen Dufour (born 1954), Swiss author Catherine Dufour (born 1966), French SF and fantasy writer Cathrine Dufour (born 1992), Danish Olympic dressage rider and influencer Charles Dufour (born 1940), Archbishop emeritus of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kingston, Jamaica Charles L.
What are the origins of the name Melissa Dufour?
The name Melissa Dufour combines two different traditions: the first name Melissa has Greek roots, while the surname Dufour originates from French.
Advertisement