Name etymology

The Greek word μέλισσα (mélissa) means Honey Bee which is derived from the Greek word for "honey" μέλι (meli).

In Greek mythology, Melisa was a mountain-nymph who cared for Zeus. It is said that she fed him honey giving him a permanent taste for it even after he came to rule on Mount Olympus. Zeus's father Cronus, became angry with Melissa for preventing him from trying to murder Zeus and changed her into an earthworm. Zeus, however, took pity and transformed her into a beautiful bee.