Melissa in Chinese
Melissa in Chinese is 梅丽莎 (Méi Lì Shā).
- Origin
- Greek
- Meaning
- honeybee
Etymologically, Melissa is Greek and is commonly glossed as "honeybee". It has been in continuous US use since Social Security records begin in 1880, peaking in the 1970s.
3 ways to write Melissa
phonetic
Following the sound of your name
梅丽莎
Méi Lì Shā
The standard transliteration of Melissa: 梅 (méi, "plum blossom"), 丽 (lì, "beautiful, elegant"), 莎 (shā, "sedge (phonetic 'sa/sha')"). Chosen for sound, it is instantly recognizable as this name.
Why these characters?
Each character maps to one sound of the English name: 梅 (méi) carries "me", 丽 (lì) carries "lis", 莎 (shā) carries "sa". The tone contour is 2-4-1 (rising, falling, high level).
Character breakdown
30 strokes total (simplified)- 梅
méi
Tone 2 · 11 strokes (simplified)
plum blossom
- 丽
lì
Tone 4 · 8 strokes (simplified)
beautiful, elegant
- 莎
shā
Tone 1 · 11 strokes (simplified)
sedge (phonetic 'sa/sha')
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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meaningful
Chosen for meaning and association
若蝶
Ruò Dié
Inspired by "honeybee": 若 (ruò, "like, as if") + 蝶 (dié, "butterfly"), expressing graceful creatures and soaring flight.
Why these characters?
Because Melissa is linked to "honeybee", the name leads with 若 (like, as if); 蝶 (butterfly) gives it a natural given-name finish.
Character breakdown
24 strokes total (simplified)- 若
ruò
Tone 4 · 9 strokes (simplified)
like, as if
- 蝶
dié
Tone 2 · 15 strokes (simplified)
butterfly
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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balanced
A balance of sound and meaning
梅雁
Méi Yàn
梅 (méi, "plum blossom") + 雁 (yàn, "wild goose"): echoes the sound of the English name while carrying meaning.
Why these characters?
It keeps 梅 (méi), the same opening character as the transliteration 梅丽莎, for the "me" sound, and replaces the rest with 雁 ("wild goose") so the whole reads as a real given name.
Character breakdown
23 strokes total (simplified)- 梅
méi
Tone 2 · 11 strokes (simplified)
plum blossom
- 雁
yàn
Tone 4 · 12 strokes (simplified)
wild goose
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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Popularity in the US
US Social Security records show 753,166 girls named Melissa since 1880, with the high point in 1979 (34,052 births) and the busiest decade being the 1970s. Between 1990 and 2017 it slipped, from #20 to #272 among girls.
- Peak year
- 1979
- Peak decade
- 1970s
- First year
- 1880
- Total since 1880
- 753,166
More About Melissa in Chinese
The Chinese translation of Melissa offers multiple styles to suit different preferences. Whether you prefer a phonetic transliteration that sounds like your name, or a meaningful interpretation that captures the essence of Melissa, you'll find options that work for you.
If you're exploring Chinese names for girls, you might also be interested in Olivia in Chinese, Megan in Chinese, and Rachel in Chinese. Each name has its own unique character combinations and meanings.
Other popular choices include Madison in Chinese, Brittany in Chinese, and Abigail in Chinese, each with beautiful traditional and simplified character options.
When choosing Chinese characters for Melissa, consider whether you want:
- Phonetic accuracy: Characters that sound like Melissa to native Chinese speakers
- Meaningful symbolism: Characters chosen for their beautiful meanings and cultural significance
- Balanced approach: A combination of sound and meaning that works well in both languages
Browse our complete A-Z index of Chinese names to explore more options, or start with our curated list of popular names in Chinese to see what others are choosing.
Frequently asked questions
How is Melissa translated into Chinese?
梅丽莎 (Méi Lì Shā), or 梅麗莎 in traditional script. This is the conventional transliteration used in Chinese media.
How many strokes does 梅丽莎 have?
30 strokes in simplified form and 41 in traditional; per character: 梅 11, 丽 8, 莎 11.
How popular is the name Melissa?
US Social Security records show 753,166 girls named Melissa since 1880, with the high point in 1979 (34,052 births) and the busiest decade being the 1970s. Between 1990 and 2017 it slipped, from #20 to #272 among girls.