What does Melina mean?
Melina is linked to the Greek for “honey.”
What does Ophelia mean?
From the Greek ophelos, “help” or “benefit.” Ophelia appears in Shakespeare’s Hamlet.
Melina vs Ophelia
Which is more popular?
Ophelia is more popular than Melina today: about 1,183 US babies were given the name Ophelia in 2025, compared with 434 named Melina.
| Melina | Ophelia | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Honey | Help, benefit |
| Origin | Greek | Greek |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | muh-LEE-nah | oh-FEEL-yuh |
| Syllables | 3 | 3 |
| First appeared | 1883 | 1880 |
| Peak year | 2009 (681) | 2024 (1,223) |
| In 2025 | 434 | 1,183 |
| Trend | Steady | Near its peak |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Melina
Ophelia
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Melina | Ophelia |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 2,724 | 6,560 |
| 2010s | 4,946 | 3,981 |
| 2000s | 5,413 | 474 |
| 1990s | 3,089 | 252 |
| 1980s | 1,634 | 295 |
| 1970s | 1,104 | 397 |
| 1960s | 616 | 720 |
| 1950s | 118 | 1,388 |
| 1940s | 34 | 1,392 |
| 1930s | 16 | 1,948 |
| 1920s | 57 | 3,276 |
| 1910s | 82 | 2,372 |
| 1900s | 40 | 1,236 |
| 1890s | 36 | 899 |
| 1880s | 17 | 580 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Melina or Ophelia more popular?
Ophelia is more popular than Melina today: about 1,183 US babies were given the name Ophelia in 2025, compared with 434 named Melina.
What is the difference between Melina and Ophelia?
Melina means Honey (Greek origin), while Ophelia means Help, benefit (Greek origin).
Which name is older, Melina or Ophelia?
In US records, Melina first appears in 1883 and Ophelia in 1880, so Ophelia has the longer recorded history.