Melville
Melville is a boy's name of English origin.
Meaning
Bad town or settlement of Malve.
Origin and history
Melville is a surname-derived masculine given name of Scottish and English heritage, originating from place names in Normandy meaning 'bad town' or 'settlement of Malve'. Historically used as a first name in the 19th and early 20th centuries, it is rarely given to U.S. newborns today. It carries a classical, literary feel largely due to its association with author Herman Melville.
Popularity in the United States
2,269 babies in the United States have been named Melville since 1880. It ranks #2715 all-time.
States where it is most popular
- NY (55.4 %)
- CA (13.8 %)
- IL (13 %)
- OH (4.8 %)
- MA (4.2 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 110 |
| 1890-1900 | 115 |
| 1900-1910 | 116 |
| 1910-1920 | 491 |
| 1920-1930 | 526 |
| 1930-1940 | 337 |
| 1940-1950 | 255 |
| 1950-1960 | 164 |
| 1960-1970 | 100 |
| 1970-1980 | 50 |
| 1980-1990 | 5 |
| 1990-2000 | 0 |
| 2000-2010 | 0 |
| 2010-2019 | 0 |
| 2020-2029 | 0 |
Famous people named Melville
- Melville Bell Grosvenor: Photojournalist, Editor
- Melville Baker: Screenwriter
Nicknames
Mel
Fun facts
- The surname Melville was brought to Britain during the Norman Conquest, deriving from Malleville in Normandy.
- While used as a given name, it is most famously associated with Herman Melville, author of Moby-Dick.