Melisha Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: meh-LEE-sha /mɛˈliːʃə/
Origin: Hebrew; English
Meaning: Hebrew: God is my light; English: variant of Melissa
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Melisha is believed to have roots in the Hebrew name Melech, meaning "king," which has been adapted and transformed through various languages over time. The transition from Hebrew to Greek and then to Latin reflects a common linguistic evolution, where names often undergo phonetic and morphological changes.
The name may also be influenced by the Arabic name Malika, which means "queen," further enriching its royal connotation. The path into English likely occurred through the incorporation of Hebrew and Arabic names into Christian contexts, particularly during the medieval period when biblical names gained prominence in Western Europe.
Historically, names derived from royal or noble connotations have been significant in various cultures. The use of Melisha can be traced back to the broader tradition of names associated with leadership and authority.
While specific historical milestones for Melisha are less documented, the influence of biblical figures and saints bearing similar names has contributed to the name's resonance. The King James Bible, published in the early 17th century, played a crucial role in popularizing many biblical names in English-speaking countries, although Melisha itself does not appear directly in this text.
Culturally, names like Melisha often symbolize strength and dignity, reflecting the qualities associated with royalty. The name's melodic quality and its connection to leadership may have contributed to its appeal in various communities.
Additionally, diminutive forms such as Mel or Lisha may have emerged as affectionate or familiar variations, although their historical significance is less pronounced. Overall, Melisha encapsulates a blend of linguistic heritage and cultural symbolism, rooted in a tradition that values names reflecting nobility and strength.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Melisha, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Melisha. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Melisha was first seen in the United States in 1960.
Melisha has ranked as high as #1053 nationally, which occurred in 1980, and has been most popular in New York, Georgia, Texas, South Carolina, and California.
In the past 5 years the name Melisha has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Melisha is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Melisha was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Melisha (1994)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 6 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Melisha.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2007 | 6 |
| 2005 | 8 |
| 2004 | 6 |
| 2003 | 10 |
| 2001 | 8 |
| 2000 | 9 |
| 1999 | 9 |
| 1998 | 11 |
| 1997 | 17 |
| 1996 | 13 |
| 1995 | 19 |
| 1994 | 19 |
| 1993 | 19 |
| 1992 | 15 |
| 1991 | 17 |
| 1990 | 26 |
| 1989 | 21 |
| 1988 | 26 |
| 1987 | 15 |
| 1986 | 13 |
| 1985 | 24 |
| 1984 | 27 |
| 1983 | 26 |
| 1982 | 41 |
| 1981 | 49 |
| 1980 | 62 |
| 1979 | 28 |
| 1978 | 33 |
| 1977 | 54 |
| 1976 | 41 |
| 1975 | 30 |
| 1974 | 21 |
| 1973 | 20 |
| 1972 | 24 |
| 1971 | 27 |
| 1970 | 19 |
| 1969 | 14 |
| 1968 | 12 |
| 1967 | 11 |
| 1966 | 10 |
| 1965 | 6 |
| 1964 | 11 |
| 1963 | 10 |
| 1962 | 7 |
| 1961 | 6 |
| 1960 | 7 |