melissa

Melissa is a feminine given name of Greek origin. It derives from melissa, meaning "bee" or "honeybee," and is associated with the nymph Melissa in Greek mythology. The name has been used in English-speaking countries since at least the 19th century and remains common in many parts of Europe and North America.

Notable people named Melissa include American actress Melissa McCarthy (born 1970), actress Melissa Joan Hart (born 1976), singer Melissa Etheridge (born 1961), and actress Melissa Leo (born 1960).

In botany, Melissa is a genus in the mint family (Lamiaceae). The best known species is Melissa officinalis, commonly called lemon balm; a perennial herb native to Europe and western Asia, grown for culinary use, herbal medicine, and essential oils. The plant has lemon-scented foliage and is frequently used in teas and flavorings.

In information technology, Melissa was the name of a 1999 computer worm/macro virus that infected Microsoft Word documents and spread via e-mail, leading to widespread disruption. It is one of the earliest widely publicized macro viruses and contributed to early discussions about email security and antivirus measures.