Melanie
Meaning & Origin
Meaning: Dark; Black
Background: The name Melanie originates from the French name 'Mélanie,' which is derived from the Latin 'melanios,' meaning 'dark' or 'black.' This Latin term in turn comes from the Greek 'melas' (μέλας), also meaning 'black.'
At a glance
Quick stats based on the history of this name.
Lifetime rank
#157
Total births
261,158
Most popular decade
1970s
(160,485 births)
10-year trend
↓ Falling (-41 ranks)
Years in Top 100
40
First recorded year
1886
Gender usage
0.2% male
99.8% female
Stats by gender
Male
- First year
- 1956
- First year births
- 7
- First year rank
- #3,216
- Peak year
- 1972
- Peak year births
- 24
- Peak rank
- #1,819
- Most recent year
- 2017
- Recent year births
- 5
- Recent rank
- #12,243
Female
- First year
- 1886
- First year births
- 8
- First year rank
- #828
- Peak year
- 1972
- Peak year births
- 6,295
- Peak rank
- #42
- Most recent year
- 2024
- Recent year births
- 2,244
- Recent rank
- #122
Births over time
Number of babies given this name each year.
Rank over time
Popularity rank by year (1 = most popular).