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Home › Baby Names Directory › Melaine

Melaine

♀ Girl

How to Pronounce Melaine

Pronounced MEL-uh-nee /ˈmɛl.ə.ni/Medium

Meaning: Melaine is a transposed spelling of Melanie, from Greek melaina/melas, 'dark, black.' The -ai- is simply swapped from Melanie; the meaning and pronunciation stay Melanie's. The spelling can mislead a reader toward 'muh-LAYN.'Medium

In 30 seconds: Melaine is a respelling of Melanie, 'dark' (said 'MEL-uh-nee') — same name, swapped letters.
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Origin MediumGreek
MeaningMelaine is a transposed spelling of Melanie, from Greek melaina/melas, 'dark, black.' The -ai- is simply swapped from Melanie; the meaning and pronunciation stay Melanie's. The spelling can mislead a reader toward 'muh-LAYN.'
U.S. rank (2022)#13114 ↗ Rising
2022 U.S. births7 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1980
Total births (all-time)≈ 2,398

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 198119252022

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Melaine is a transposed form of Melanie, from Greek melaina, 'dark, black' (the source too of St. Melania). The -ai- ordering is a respelling rather than a separate origin, and the name is still said like Melanie. It appeared from around 1925, tracked Melanie's rise, and peaked in 1981. Because the spelling can mislead, the 'MEL-uh-nee' guide helps.

A woman named Melaine at its early-eighties peak is now in her forties. The name shares Melanie's soft, classic feel; this spelling stayed uncommon, giving it a quiet individuality, and it sits with Melanie, Melina and Melody. It reads as a period respelling, and its meaning ties it to a saintly ancient name.

Did you know? Melaine is Melanie with two letters transposed — a spelling that rode Melanie's popularity while looking a little different on paper.
Overall data confidence 60%
References — Melaine — Transposed spelling of Melanie (Gk melas, 'dark')

Variations

MelanieMelanyMelaney

Nicknames

MelLainie

Famous Bearers

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If you like Melaine…

Melanie— the standard spelling Melaine transposes
Melany— a like phonetic spelling of the name
Melina— a same-sound Mel- girls' name
Melody— a like soft Mel- name of the era

Explore names like Melaine

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Melaine mean?

Melaine is a transposed spelling of Melanie, from Greek melas, meaning 'dark, black.'

How do you pronounce Melaine?

It's said MEL-uh-nee /ˈmɛl.ə.ni/ — three syllables, stress on the first.

Is Melaine a boy or girl name?

Melaine is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Melaine?

Melaine is an uncommon spelling of Melanie that crested in the early nineteen-eighties.

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