Melissa Goff

Name meaning, origin and global statistics

Melissa Goff — honey bee
716K People worldwide
United States Most common in
1970s Peak popularity
Gender
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Melissa Goff is a name combining Greek origins, bringing together "honey bee" (Melissa) with "smith" (Goff). 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 Goff: Goff is a surname of Celtic origin. It is the 946th most common family name in the United States. When the surname originates from England it is derived from an occupational name from Welsh, Cornish or Breton. The Welsh gof and the Breton goff means "smith" (cognate with Irish gobha). The English-originating surname is common in East Anglia, where it is of Breton origin. The Welsh name is a variant of the surname Gough, and is derived from a nickname for someone with red hair. 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: Goff

Meaning: smith

Celtic

Goff is a surname of Celtic origin. It is the 946th most common family name in the United States. When the surname originates from England it is derived from an occupational name from Welsh, Cornish or Breton. The Welsh gof and the Breton goff means "smith" (cognate with Irish gobha). The English-originating surname is common in East Anglia, where it is of Breton origin. The Welsh name is a variant of the surname Gough, and is derived from a nickname for someone with red hair.

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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 Goff

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 Goff:

4
Expression Number

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

3
Soul Urge Number

Creativity and self-expression. Associated with artistic flair, optimism and sociability — a natural communicator.

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 Goff?
The surname Goff originates from Celtic. Goff is a surname of Celtic origin. It is the 946th most common family name in the United States. When the surname originates from England it is derived from an occupational name from Welsh, Cornish or Breton. The Welsh gof and the Breton goff means "smith" (cognate with Irish gobha). The English-originating surname is common in East Anglia, where it is of Breton origin. The Welsh name is a variant of the surname Gough, and is derived from a nickname for someone with red hair.
What are the origins of the name Melissa Goff?
The name Melissa Goff combines two different traditions: the first name Melissa has Greek roots, while the surname Goff originates from Celtic.
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