Melani
Melani is a girl's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
Dark or black.
Origin and history
Melani is a spelling variant of Melanie, derived from the Greek word for dark or black. It has steadily gained traction in the United States as a contemporary alternative to traditional spellings. The name offers a soft, familiar sound while maintaining a slightly modern twist.
Popularity in the United States
5,912 babies in the United States have been named Melani since 1880. It ranks #2219 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #992.
States where it is most popular
- CA (26.2 %)
- TX (19.4 %)
- FL (9.3 %)
- NY (8.2 %)
- IL (5.6 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 20 |
| 1950-1960 | 158 |
| 1960-1970 | 367 |
| 1970-1980 | 511 |
| 1980-1990 | 352 |
| 1990-2000 | 351 |
| 2000-2010 | 1,245 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,486 |
| 2020-2029 | 1,422 |
Nicknames
Mel, Lani, Mellie
Fun facts
- The name traces back to the ancient Greek word 'melaina', meaning dark or black, historically referring to dark hair or skin tone.
- Melani has risen in recent years in the U.S. alongside other simplified or unique spellings of traditional classic names.