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Name Lineage

    The first name Melchior

    A boy’s name from Hebrew meaning “king of light”, “king”, “light”.

    Pronounced /ˈmɛl.ki.ɔː(ɹ)/ 3 syllables Male Also a surname

    Meaning and origin

    Hebrew origin

    Melchior means “king of light”, “king”, “light” in Hebrew.

    From Latin Melchior, from Hebrew מלכיאור (“king of light”), from מלך (“king”) + אור (“light”).

    More names that mean king, light.

    From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).

    Popularity

    Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025

    In 2025, 3 boys were named Melchior, making it the 5,137th most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 2024, with 3 births (#5,119).

    0510 1996200020052010201520202025
    6
    babies named Melchior, 1996–2025
    #5,137
    rank in 2025
    2024
    peak year

    Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Melchior with other names.

    Popularity in the United States

    Babies named Melchior at birth, 1880–2025

    In 2007, 5 boys born in the United States were named Melchior, the 13,724th most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 1915, when 9 were.

    0510 188018851890189519001905191019151920192519301935194019451950195519601965197019751980198519901995200020052010201520202025
    48
    babies named Melchior since 1880
    #13,724
    rank in 2007
    1915
    peak year

    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.

    Melchior in other languages

    Equivalent forms of the name, from Wiktionary

    Мелхиор
    Melhior
    Bulgarian
    Melchiorre
    Italian
    Melchor
    Spanish
    Melker
    Swedish

    Spelled Melchior in French, German and Polish too.

    Famous people named Melchior

    24 on Wikidata, most written-about first

    • Friedrich Melchior, Baron von Grimm
      German dramatist and playwright (1723-1807)
    • Melchior Broederlam
      Early Netherlandish painter, 1355–1410
    • Melchior Hoffman
      Anabaptist prophet (1490-1543)
    • Melchior de Vogüé
      French diplomat, orientalist, travel writer, archaeologist, philanthropist and literary cr, 1848–1910
    • Melchior von Diepenbrock
      Catholic cardinal (1798-1853)
    • Johann Melchior Molter
      German composer, 1696–1765
    • Melchior Treub
      Dutch botanist (1851-1910)
    • Melchior Neumayr
      Austrian paleontologist (1845-1890)
    • Melchior Klesl
      Catholic cardinal (1552-1630)
    • Melchior de Polignac
      French diplomat and cardinal (1661-1742)
    • Melchior Franck
      German composer (1579-1639)
    • Melchior Lorck
      Danish/German artist (1527-1583)

    More Hebrew boys’ names

    All 346 names of Hebrew origin

    Questions

    What does the name Melchior mean?
    Melchior means “king of light”, “king”, “light” in Hebrew.
    What is the origin of the name Melchior?
    From Latin Melchior, from Hebrew מלכיאור (“king of light”), from מלך (“king”) + אור (“light”).
    How popular is the name Melchior?
    In 2025, 3 boys born in England and Wales were named Melchior, ranking 5,137th. Its peak was 2024, with 3 births.
    When was Melchior most popular?
    1915 in the United States, when 9 babies were named Melchior, its highest rank at 2,754th.
    How do you pronounce Melchior?
    Melchior is /ˈmɛl.ki.ɔː(ɹ)/, 3 syllables.
    Is Melchior also a surname?
    Yes. Melchior is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.