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Melian

♀ Girl

Pronounced MEL-ee-un /ˈmɛl.i.ən/Medium

Meaning: Read variously: it may draw on Greek melas, 'dark,' or meli, 'honey,' and it is also a literary name, the Maia Melian in J.R.R. Tolkien's legendarium. With more than one route, we note the paths honestly.Low

In 30 seconds: A lyrical, layered name: Melian draws on Greek 'dark' or 'honey,' and is also a Tolkien name (said 'MEL-ee-un'). Routes are uncertain, which we note.

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Origin LowGreek

MeaningRead variously: it may draw on Greek melas, 'dark,' or meli, 'honey,' and it is also a literary name, the Maia Melian in J.R.R. Tolkien's legendarium. With more than one route, we note the paths honestly.

U.S. rank (2024)#10771 ↗ Rising

2024 U.S. births9 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2024

Total births (all-time)≈ 20

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

Melian is read in more than one way: it may draw on Greek melas, 'dark,' or meli, 'honey.' It is also a literary name, borne by the Maia Melian in J.R.R. Tolkien's Silmarillion. With these paths side by side, we note the routes honestly (said 'MEL-ee-un').

For girls it appears only rarely in the U.S. Rare, lyrical, and literary.

Did you know? Melian carries Greek roots ('dark' or 'honey') and is also the name of a luminous Maia in Tolkien's legendarium — a lyrical, layered pick whose routes are uncertain, which we note (said 'MEL-ee-un').

Overall data confidence 36%

References - Melian — Greek 'dark/honey'; also Tolkien name; routes uncertain

Variations

MelyanMelianaMelia

Nicknames

MelLiaMellie

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Melian…

Melia— a like Greek meli-rooted name

Melanie— a like melas-rooted cousin

Melody— a like soft mel- choice

Sebastian— shares Melian's Greek roots

Lydian— shares the -an ending

Explore names like Melian

By themeuncertain greek literary lyrical

By meaningTruth

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Melian mean?

It may draw on Greek 'dark' or 'honey,' and is also a Tolkien name. Routes are uncertain, which we note.

How do you pronounce Melian?

It's said MEL-ee-un /ˈmɛl.i.ən/ — three syllables, stress on the first.

Is Melian a boy or girl name?

Melian is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Melian?

Melian is a very rare name for girls in the U.S.