Melvina
Melvina is a girl's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
Smooth brow or polished brow.
Origin and history
Melvina is a feminine name thought to be created or popularized by the 18th-century Scottish poet James Macpherson in his Ossianic poems. It is often considered a variant of Malvina, derived from Gaelic elements meaning smooth brow. Though widely used in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the U.S., it is rarely given today.
Popularity in the United States
6,645 babies in the United States have been named Melvina since 1880. It ranks #2072 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #2092.
States where it is most popular
- LA (20.7 %)
- NY (13.7 %)
- MS (7.4 %)
- IL (6.7 %)
- PA (6 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 298 |
| 1890-1900 | 353 |
| 1900-1910 | 434 |
| 1910-1920 | 824 |
| 1920-1930 | 1,058 |
| 1930-1940 | 685 |
| 1940-1950 | 737 |
| 1950-1960 | 731 |
| 1960-1970 | 582 |
| 1970-1980 | 427 |
| 1980-1990 | 266 |
| 1990-2000 | 134 |
| 2000-2010 | 77 |
| 2010-2019 | 30 |
| 2020-2029 | 9 |
Famous people named Melvina
- Melvina Reynolds: Singer-songwriter, Activist
Nicknames
Mel, Melly, Vina
Fun facts
- The related name Malvina was popularized by Macpherson's Ossian poems, which heavily influenced Romantic-era naming trends.
- Melvina was most frequently used in the late Victorian era and early 20th century before dropping significantly in usage.