Melvyn
Melvyn is a boy's name of Celtic origin.
Meaning
Smooth chief or council friend.
Origin and history
Melvyn is a masculine name of Gaelic or Old English origin, historically interpreted as meaning 'smooth chief' or 'council friend'. It gained moderate popularity in the early to mid-20th century as a variant spelling of Melvin. Today, it remains a rare choice for newborn boys in the United States.
Popularity in the United States
4,360 babies in the United States have been named Melvyn since 1880. It ranks #1881 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1893.
States where it is most popular
- NY (40.6 %)
- CA (11.7 %)
- PA (10.2 %)
- IL (8.6 %)
- MI (5.5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 136 |
| 1920-1930 | 398 |
| 1930-1940 | 1,329 |
| 1940-1950 | 1,503 |
| 1950-1960 | 275 |
| 1960-1970 | 208 |
| 1970-1980 | 118 |
| 1980-1990 | 95 |
| 1990-2000 | 75 |
| 2000-2010 | 130 |
| 2010-2019 | 59 |
| 2020-2029 | 34 |
Famous people named Melvyn
- Melvyn Douglas: Actor
- Melvyn Bragg: Broadcaster, Author
Nicknames
Mel
Fun facts
- Melvyn arose as an alternative spelling to Melvin, featuring the letter 'y' which was popular in early 20th-century English naming trends.
- The name peaked in usage in the United States during the mid-20th century before gradually tapering off in popularity.