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Melisande
Fact sheet
- Name
- Melisande
- Gender
- Girl name
- Syllables
- 4
The name Melisande (Mélisande) has its roots in German and represents a French variant of Millicent. It derives from the Gothic name Amalaswintha or Amalaswinþa (𐌰𐌼𐌰𐌻𐌰𐍃𐍅𐌹𐌽𐌸𐌰).
What does the name Melisande mean?
Melisande (Mélisande) is a historical German name that is considered a French form of Millicent. It originates from the Gothic name Amalaswintha or Amalaswinþa (𐌰𐌼𐌰𐌻𐌰𐍃𐍅𐌹𐌽𐌸𐌰) and means 'the Strong,' 'the Diligent,' as well as 'the Brave/Hardworking Swift.' The meaning derives from the Gothic components amals (𐌰𐌼𐌰𐌻𐍃), which means 'tireless,' 'energetic,' 'brave,' 'diligent,' 'capable,' or 'valiant,' and swinþs (𐍃𐍅𐌹𐌽𐌸𐍃), which means 'strong,' 'powerful,' 'intense,' 'quick,' or 'swift.' The name is known through the opera 'Pelléas et Mélisande' by Claude Debussy, which is based on a play of the same name by Maeterlinck. A famous bearer of the name was the Ostrogothic queen Amalasuntha (525-536) from the Amaler dynasty. Other variants of the name include Amalasuintha, Amalasuntha, Melisanda, Melisandra, Melisandre, Melse, Melicent, Melisende, and Melisenda.
Where does the name Melisande come from?
The etymology of Melisande is found in the Gothic and Ostrogothic language, where the name means 'the Strong.' The Gothic
How do you pronounce Melisande?
The pronunciation of Melisande sounds elegant: 'Me-li-san-de' [melɪˈzandə]. The four syllables give the name a beautiful fullness of sound, with the emphasis on the syllable '-san-' particularly standing out due to the open 'a' sound. The voiced 's' and the soft ending '-e' create a flowing resonance. Thus, Melisande appears both poetic and romantic – melodious and full of historical-literary grace.
Popularity
In Germany, Melisande is considered a rather rare first name. In 2019, it ranked 4,068th on the list of the most common female baby names. The highest ranking the name achieved was 1,649th in 2011. In the last ten years, Melisande has been used as a first name fewer than 10 times, resulting in a position of 7,773 in the ten-year statistics. From 2010 to 2024, it holds the 5,303rd position.
Nicknames & pet names
Eli / Lis / Lisa / Meg / Meggie / Mel / Meli / Melis / Melisa / Mellli / Mili / Sande / Sandi
Famous people
- Melisande (character from the opera (Pelleas et Melisande)
- Melisande (Melisende) (Queen of Jerusalem from 1131-1153; often referred to as Melisende)
Frequently asked questions about the name Melisande
What does the name Melisande mean?
Melisande means 'the Strong' and has its roots in the Gothic language. It is composed of terms for 'tireless' and 'strong.'
What gender association does the name Melisande have?
Melisande is a traditional girl's name, primarily common in German and French-speaking regions.
What nicknames can be used for Melisande?
Possible nicknames for Melisande include Eli, Lis, Lisa, Meg, Meli, and Sandi.
How is Melisande pronounced?
Melisande is typically pronounced 'Me-li-sand,' with the emphasis on the second syllable.