Melanie: Name Meaning, Origin, and Popularity

Pronunciation: me-hla-hne-e-e
Origin: France
gender-female

Emmy Samtani

Emmy Samtani

Emmy is the founder of Kiindred and mother to 3 little ones. Over the last 4 years, she has worked with some of the most credible experts in the parenting space and is a keen contributor on all things parenthood.
Updated on Aug 14, 2024 · 2 mins read
Region Origin: Western Europe
Meaning: Black, dark.

Melanie is a feminine given name derived from the Greek μελανία (melania), which means "blackness," and μέλας (melas), meaning "dark". The name has its roots in two Roman saints, Melania the Elder and her granddaughter Melania the Younger, who both bore the Latin form of the name. The name was later introduced to England by the Normans in its French form, Melanie. The meaning of the name Melanie is associated with "black" or "dark". It is a popular name with various forms, such as the Latin Melania and the French Mélanie. The name gained popularity in English usage in the 1930s due to the novel "Gone with the Wind," in which one of the main characters was named Melanie Hamilton. The name's popularity increased until the 1970s and has remained constant since then.

Melanie Name Popularity Data

chat-overall Melanie is currently #608 in the popularity of the name rankings.
gender-female Girl: Melanie is currently #316 on Kiindred Girl Names
gender-male Overall Unique: Melanie is currently #600 on Kiindred Unique Names
gender-female Girl Unique: Melanie is currently #315 on Kiindred Girl Unique Names

Popularity Trend Chart

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Famous People Named Melanie

This section lists notable individuals and public figures named Melanie, showcasing their achievements and contributions in various fields.

  • Melanie Griffith: Melanie Griffith is an American actress known for her roles in "Working Girl," "Body Double," and "Something Wild."
  • Melanie Brown: Melanie Brown, also known as Mel B, is an English singer, songwriter, and television personality known for being a member of the Spice Girls.
  • Melanie Laurent: Mélanie Laurent is a French actress, filmmaker, and singer known for her roles in "Inglourious Basterds," "Now You See Me," and "Beginners."
  • Melanie Martinez: Melanie Martinez is an American singer-songwriter and actress known for her unique style and her hit songs "Dollhouse" and "Pity Party."
  • Melanie C: Melanie C, also known as Melanie Chisholm, is an English singer, songwriter, actress, and television personality known for being a member of the Spice Girls and for her solo music career.

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