Melese is both a masculine given name and a surname that occur primarily in Ethiopia. Notable people with the name include:
Given name Melese Feissa (born 1967), Ethiopian cross country runner Melese Nberet (born 2001), Ethiopian middle-distance runner
Surname Mahlet Melese (born 1990), Ethiopian long-distance runner Yebrgual Melese (1990–2026), Ethiopian long-distance runner
See also Gashaw Asfaw Melese (born 1978), Ethiopian long-distance runner Muluken Melesse (1954–2024), Ethiopian singer and drummer