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Melania
Pronounced muh-LAH-nee-uh /məˈlɑː.ni.ə/Medium
Meaning: from the Greek word 'melas' (genitive 'melanos') meaning 'black' or 'dark'; borne by two early Christian saintsMedium
Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data
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
The root here is the Greek word for darkness, the same element behind words for black pigment and dark coloring. Two saints named Melania in the early Christian centuries gave the name religious weight and helped it survive across southern Europe. It has stayed in steady use in Greek, Italian, and Slavic-speaking regions ever since.
Most modern bearers know the more familiar English form Melanie, while spellings such as Mélania and Melânia show how Romance languages soften the same name. The Slovenian-American Melania Trump, who became First Lady of the United States, is the best-known holder of the full form today.
Variations
Nicknames
Famous Bearers
- ★Melania Trump (1970–present)Slovenian-American former model who served as First Lady of the United States as the wife of Donald Trump.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Melania mean?
Melania is usually explained as meaning 'origin uncertain' and is most often linked with Italian tradition.
How do you pronounce Melania?
It's commonly said muh-LAH-nee-uh /məˈlɑː.ni.ə/.
Is Melania a boy or girl name?
In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Melania is used as a girl name.
How popular is Melania?
In 2024, Melania ranked #1609 in the U.S. for girls, with 130 births recorded.