I think melena and [name_f]Melina[/name_f] would be pronounced similarly enough to some people so much they will think it’s same name. I though melena is pronounce muh-lee-na so to me I would have trouble hearing difference between the word and a name. So, it’s not question of ‘mishearing’ it, rather that they are way too similar. I feel Slavic [name_f]Milena[/name_f] is also similar to that word, and I prefer that to [name_f]Melina[/name_f], even without association.
[name_f][/name_f]I like [name_f]Marina[/name_f] best from your list. When it comes to [name_f]Melita[/name_f], I simply prefer variant [name_f]Melissa[/name_f] (they are basically same name), but might be somehow dated. [name_f]Melia[/name_f] and [name_f]Mina[/name_f] are too nothing-y for me, they seems somehow bland. Miella isn’t that bland, but looks like fake name to modern standards and you’ll constantly have to explain it medieval name. At first look, it looks invented. [name_f]Esme[/name_f] is overly popular, but that’s my only issue with the name.
[name_f][/name_f]Similar names that you might love:
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Melusine[/name_f] [name_f][/name_f]- from a folk tale about serpent-woman, associated with royals in [name_f]French[/name_f] countries and I think one illegitimate daughter of [name_f]British[/name_f] [name_m]King[/name_m] owned name Melusina. I feel like this name doesn’t feel nothing-y because it’s kinda longer, but most people aren’t familiar with the name.
[name_f]Melody[/name_f] [name_f][/name_f]- this is kinda dated, but still cute
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Madeline[/name_f] or [name_f]Madeleine[/name_f] [name_f][/name_f]- maybe this name is mostly teenage girls now, because it was popular 10 years ago, but nice
[name_f]Melisande[/name_f], Melisant or [name_f]Melisende[/name_f] [name_f][/name_f]- [name_m]Jerusalem[/name_m] [name_f]Queen[/name_f] of [name_f]French[/name_f] origin owned this name, I stop loving it once GOT became popular, but maybe Melisant is usable, maybe. There’s also [name_f]Millicent[/name_f] which I like as full name, but maybe it’s still too dated. [name_f]Millicent[/name_f] and [name_f]Melisande[/name_f] has shared origin
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Emmeline[/name_f] [name_f][/name_f]- maybe this or [name_f]Emily[/name_f]?
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Rosaline[/name_f], [name_f]Rosabel[/name_f] or [name_f]Rosalie[/name_f] [name_f][/name_f]- maybe you will like this? Also very nice