The first name Melanie
A girl’s name from Greek meaning “black”, “dark”.
Pronounced /ˈmɛləni/ 3 syllables Female
Meaning and origin
Greek origin
Melanie means “black”, “dark” in Greek.
From French Mélanie, from Latin Melania, the name of two Roman fifth century saints, from Ancient Greek μέλας (mélas, “black, dark”).
More names that mean black.
From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Popularity
Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025
In 2025, 41 girls were named Melanie, making it the 863rd most popular girls’ name. It peaked in 1996, with 166 births (#239).
Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Melanie with other names.
Popularity in the United States
Babies named Melanie at birth, 1880–2025
In 2025, 2,074 girls born in the United States were named Melanie, the 142nd most popular girls’ name that year. It was used most in 1972, when 6,296 were.
US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.
Melanie in other languages
Equivalent forms of the name, from Wiktionary
Spelled Melanie in Danish and German too.
Nicknames and spellings
Famous people named Melanie
74 on Wikidata, most written-about first
- Melanie GriffithAmerican actress, born 1957
- Melanie MartinezAmerican singer-songwriter (born 1995)
- Mélanie LaurentFrench actress, model, director and writer, born 1983
- Melanie KleinBritish Austrian born psychoanalyst (1882–1960)
- Melanie CBritish pop singer (born 1974)
- Melanie BrownBritish singer and television personality (born 1975)
- MelanieAmerican musician (1947–2024)
- Melanie OudinAmerican tennis player, born 1991
- Mélanie ThierryFrench actress and model, born 1981
- Melanie LeupolzGerman association football player, born 1994
- Melanie ThorntonAmerican singer (1967–2001)
- Mélanie BonisFrench composer (1858-1937)
More Greek girls’ names
Questions
- What does the name Melanie mean?
- Melanie means “black”, “dark” in Greek.
- What is the origin of the name Melanie?
- From French Mélanie, from Latin Melania, the name of two Roman fifth century saints, from Ancient Greek μέλας (mélas, “black, dark”).
- How popular is the name Melanie?
- In 2025, 41 girls born in England and Wales were named Melanie, ranking 863rd. Its peak was 1996, with 166 births.
- What are nicknames for Melanie?
- Common nicknames for Melanie include Mellie.
- Is Melanie a boy's or a girl's name?
- Mostly a girl's name: 100% of the 263,254 US babies named Melanie since 1880 were girls.
- When was Melanie most popular?
- 1972 in the United States, when 6,296 babies were named Melanie, its highest rank at 42nd.
- How do you pronounce Melanie?
- Melanie is /ˈmɛləni/, 3 syllables.
- What are other spellings of Melanie?
- Melony.