Melvin
Melvin is a boy's name of Celtic origin.
Meaning
Council protector or bad town (from Gaelic elements Mael-mhin or Maol-mhin).
Origin and history
Melvin is a classic male name derived from Scottish and Irish Gaelic roots, traditionally interpreted as meaning 'council protector' or 'bad town'. It became popular in the English-speaking world during the 19th and 20th centuries. In the U.S., it remains a traditional, well-recognized choice, though its usage has moderated over recent decades.
Popularity in the United States
244,936 babies in the United States have been named Melvin since 1880. It ranks #159 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #791.
States where it is most popular
- TX (6.1 %)
- NY (5.9 %)
- PA (5.4 %)
- IL (5.4 %)
- CA (4.9 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 960 |
| 1890-1900 | 1,325 |
| 1900-1910 | 2,840 |
| 1910-1920 | 21,739 |
| 1920-1930 | 40,583 |
| 1930-1940 | 37,705 |
| 1940-1950 | 39,236 |
| 1950-1960 | 36,165 |
| 1960-1970 | 23,093 |
| 1970-1980 | 13,126 |
| 1980-1990 | 9,431 |
| 1990-2000 | 6,983 |
| 2000-2010 | 6,296 |
| 2010-2019 | 3,705 |
| 2020-2029 | 1,749 |
Famous people named Melvin
- Melvin Gordon: Football Player, Athlete
- Melvin Calvin: Chemist, Nobel Laureate
- Melvin Van Peebles: Filmmaker, Actor
Nicknames
Mel
Fun facts
- Melvin originally developed as a Scottish surname before becoming widely adopted as a given name in the 19th century.
- The name was most popular in the U.S. during the mid-20th century, consistently ranking among the top names for boys.