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Melanie

♀ Girl

Pronounced MEL-uh-nee /ˈmɛl.ə.ni/High

Meaning: Dark; black — from the Greek <em>melaina</em>, feminine of <em>melas</em> (dark, black)High

In 30 seconds: From the Greek melaina meaning 'dark' or 'black,' Melanie was popularized by two early Christian saints. It gained wide fame through Gone with the Wind's gentle Melanie Hamilton, and has been a perennial U.S. favorite.
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Origin HighGreek
MeaningDark; black — from the Greek <em>melaina</em>, feminine of <em>melas</em> (dark, black)
Peak year1972
Total births (all-time)≈ 243,792

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 197218862017

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Melanie derives from the Greek melania, meaning 'darkness' or 'blackness,' from melas (dark, black). The name was borne by Saint Melania the Elder (c. 350–410) and her granddaughter Saint Melania the Younger (383–439), both revered in the early Christian church for their piety and generosity.

The French form Mélanie spread through Europe in the medieval period. In the English-speaking world, the name received a significant boost from Margaret Mitchell's 1936 novel Gone with the Wind, where Melanie Wilkes is a saintly, beloved character. Melanie has been a consistent U.S. top-100 name for girls since the 1950s.

Did you know? Two saints named Melania — grandmother and granddaughter — were wealthy Roman noblewomen who gave away their vast fortunes to fund Christian communities in the 4th–5th centuries.

Variations

MelanyMélanieMelaneeMelania

Nicknames

MelMellyLanie

Famous Bearers

  • ★Melanie Griffith (b. 1957)
    American actress, known for her role in <em>Working Girl</em> (1988).

If you like Melanie…

Natalie— another three-syllable classic ending in -ie with timeless appeal
Valerie— elegant three-syllable name with a similar vintage-modern balance

Frequently Asked

What does the name Melanie mean?

Melanie comes from the Greek <em>melaina</em> meaning 'dark' or 'black,' referring to dark complexion or dark beauty.

How do you pronounce Melanie?

Melanie is pronounced MEL-uh-nee /ˈmɛl.ə.ni/ — three syllables with stress on the first.

Is Melanie a boy or girl name?

Melanie is used almost exclusively as a girl's name.

How popular is Melanie?

Melanie has been a consistent presence in the U.S. top 100 girls' names since the 1950s and remains popular today.