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girl name · greek origin

Melanie

/ MEL-uh-nee /

Girl greek 3 syllables

Meaning

Melanie means black, dark (greek).

Gender

Girl

Origin

greek

Pronunciation

MEL-uh-nee

Popularity

#142 · U.S. girls (2025)

Popularity of Melanie in the US, 1880–2025

Melanie first appears in US records in 1886. It peaked in 1972, when 6,296 girls were given the name; in 2025 there were 2,074.

Source: US Social Security Administration.

Is Melanie popular?

Declining Melanie is given less often than it was a decade ago, well below its 1972 peak.

US babies given the name Melanie, by decade
2020s		13,337
2010s		33,086
2000s		35,228
1990s		29,352
1980s		35,952
1970s		53,323
1960s		36,751
1950s		19,849
1940s		5,029
1930s		242
1920s		183
1910s		145
1900s		79
1890s		63
1880s		21

Counts from US Social Security Administration data, 1880–2025.

What does Melanie mean?

From Greek 'melas / melania' meaning 'black, dark'. Borne by early Christian saints Melania the Elder and Melania the Younger.

Nicknames for Melanie

Mel
Lanie

Variants & spellings

Mélanie
Melany

Names like Melanie

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Names that pair well with Melanie

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Compare Melanie

Melanie vs Cassandra Melanie vs Ariana Melanie vs Elena Melanie vs Genesis

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Frequently asked questions

What does the name Melanie mean?

Melanie means black, dark. From Greek 'melas / melania' meaning 'black, dark'. Borne by early Christian saints Melania the Elder and Melania the Younger.

What is the origin of the name Melanie?

Melanie is of greek origin.

How do you pronounce Melanie?

Melanie is pronounced “MEL-uh-nee.”

Is Melanie a boy or a girl name?

Melanie is most commonly used as a girl name.

Is Melanie a popular name right now?

Melanie is given less often than it was a decade ago, well below its 1972 peak.

How popular is the name Melanie?

In 2025, Melanie ranked #142 among girls’ names in the United States, according to U.S. Social Security Administration data.

When was the name Melanie most popular?

Melanie was most popular in 1972, when about 6,296 US babies were given the name that year, according to US Social Security Administration records.

What are common nicknames for Melanie?

Common nicknames for Melanie include Mel, Lanie.

What names are similar to Melanie?

Names similar to Melanie include Cassandra, Ariana, Elena, Genesis, Eleanor.

What names go well with Melanie?

greek names that pair well with Melanie include Christopher, Cynthia, Andrew, Helen, Timothy.