Melanie
Melanie: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈmɛləni/
Meaning and origin of Melanie
- A female given name from Ancient Greek.
Etymology
From French Mélanie, from Latin Melania, the name of two Roman fifth century saints, from Ancient Greek μέλας (mélas, “black, dark”).
How popular is Melanie?
Since 1880, 262,640 girls and 614 boys in the U.S. have been named Melanie (100% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #42 in 1972. Its highest rank for boys was #1858 in 1972. In 2025 it ranked #142 for girls, with 2,074 babies given the name.
Names similar to Melanie
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Greek girl names
Sibling name ideas for Melanie
Sister and brother names that share Melanie's Greek roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Melanie FAQ
What does the name Melanie mean?
A female given name from Ancient Greek. From French Mélanie, from Latin Melania, the name of two Roman fifth century saints, from Ancient Greek μέλας (mélas, “black, dark”).
What is the origin of the name Melanie?
Melanie is listed as a name of Greek origin.
How popular is the name Melanie?
Since 1880, 262,640 girls and 614 boys in the U.S. have been named Melanie (100% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #42 in 1972. Its highest rank for boys was #1858 in 1972. In 2025 it ranked #142 for girls, with 2,074 babies given the name.
Is Melanie a boy or girl name?
Melanie is mostly a girl name in the U.S.: 262,640 girls and 614 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.