Melanie
Melanie is a girl's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
Black, dark, or dark-complexioned.
Origin and history
Melanie is derived from the Ancient Greek word for black or dark, historically associated with Saint Melania. It gained widespread popularity in the English-speaking world in the 20th century, supported by literary and pop culture figures. It remains a consistently popular choice for girls in the United States.
Popularity in the United States
262,640 babies in the United States have been named Melanie since 1880. It ranks #155 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #127.
States where it is most popular
- CA (14.1 %)
- TX (10 %)
- NY (7 %)
- FL (4.8 %)
- IL (4.3 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 21 |
| 1890-1900 | 63 |
| 1900-1910 | 79 |
| 1910-1920 | 145 |
| 1920-1930 | 183 |
| 1930-1940 | 242 |
| 1940-1950 | 5,029 |
| 1950-1960 | 19,849 |
| 1960-1970 | 36,751 |
| 1970-1980 | 53,323 |
| 1980-1990 | 35,952 |
| 1990-2000 | 29,352 |
| 2000-2010 | 35,228 |
| 2010-2019 | 33,086 |
| 2020-2029 | 13,337 |
Famous people named Melanie
- Melanie Griffith: Actress
- Melanie Lynskey: Actress
- Melanie Safka: Singer, Songwriter
Nicknames
Mel, Mellie, Melanie
Fun facts
- The name gained significant popularity following Margaret Mitchell's 1936 novel Gone with the Wind and its 1939 film adaptation, featuring the character Melanie Hamilton.
- It was borne by Saint Melania the Younger, a 5th-century Roman heiress who gave away her wealth to charity.