Recent in Baby
When Baby Resists SolidsWhen Baby Resists SolidsBaby Biting TipsBaby Biting Tips5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair Injuries5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair InjuriesWhen Baby and Pet MeetWhen Baby and Pet MeetTreatments for ColicTreatments for ColicBaby Milestones – The First YearBaby Milestones – The First YearTips for Relieving Teething PainTips for Relieving Teething PainBenefits of Making Your Own Baby FoodBenefits of Making Your Own Baby Food

Home β€Ί Baby Names Directory β€Ί Melody

Melody

♀ Girl

Pronounced MEL-oh-dee /ˈmΙ›l.Ι™.di/High

Meaning: Song; musical tune β€” from Greek melodia (song, music), from melos (song) + ode (song)High

In 30 seconds: A lyrical Greek name literally meaning 'song,' Melody is one of the most musical given names in the English language. It has been a charming American choice since the mid-20th century.
πŸ’• Browse more names
Origin HighGreek
MeaningSong; musical tune β€” from Greek melodia (song, music), from melos (song) + ode (song)
U.S. rank (2025)#79 β†— Rising
2025 U.S. births3,095 girls (0.19% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2025
Total births (all-time)β‰ˆ 114,883

Popularity in the U.S. Β· SSA data

peak 202519142025

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

Melody comes directly from the Greek melodia, meaning 'song' or 'musical tune,' combining melos (song) and ode (song). As a given name it belongs to the 20th-century American tradition of using musical and concept words for girls.

Melody has been in use in the United States since the 1940s, and has been a steady top-200 choice. It has risen in recent years alongside other musical names.

Did you know? The word melody entered English via Latin and Old French from Greek melodia, which itself combines melos (song) and aeidein (to sing) β€” both words that gave us the word ode.

Variations

MelodieMelodia

Nicknames

MelMelly

Famous Bearers

  • β˜…Melody Gardot (1985-)
    American jazz singer and songwriter
  • β˜…Melody Thornton (1984-)
    American singer, member of the Pussycat Dolls
  • β˜…Melody Anderson (1955-)
    Canadian actress known for Flash Gordon

If you like Melody…

Harmonyβ€” musical concept name with the same lyrical, aspirational quality
Ariaβ€” Italian/Greek musical term used as a name with the same melodic brevity
Melaniβ€” a similarly popular pick
Margaretβ€” another Greek name
Magdaleneβ€” a similarly popular pick

Frequently Asked

What does the name Melody mean?

Melody comes from the Greek melodia, meaning 'song' or 'musical tune,' from melos (song) and ode (song).

How do you pronounce Melody?

It is said MEL-oh-dee /ˈmΙ›l.Ι™.di/ β€” three syllables, stress on the first.

Is Melody a boy or girl name?

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

How popular is Melody?

Melody has been a steady top-200 U.S. girls' name for several decades.

πŸ’¬ Ask Nia