Melanie
How to say it: MEL-uh-nee · /ˈmɛləni/
From Greek 'melaina', meaning 'black' or 'dark'; related to the word melanin.
Melanie was the 105th most popular girls’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 2,074 babies (Social Security Administration). Its busiest decade was the 1970s, its births are down about 28% in ten years, and it is projected to slip to #116 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among girls’ names, 2025 | #105 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 2,074 |
| Share of births | 1 in 1,073 |
| Peak decade | 1970s |
| Change over 10 years | −28% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #116 |
| In France, 2025 | #806 among girls’ names, 35 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
Melanie owned the spotlight in the 1970s. Now well below that height, it keeps drifting rarer.
What goes with it
Mellow and soft with a gentle touch, Melanie hums quietly. Natalie shares its rhythm.
Middle names that flow with Melanie →
Parents who love Melanie also love
Nicknames
- Mel
- Mels
- Lanie
Honouring a Melanie in the family
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Melanie is about 1 in 45.
Around the world
This spelling is used in Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Norwegian, Polish, Swedish.
In France: #806 for girls in 2025.
Famous people named Melanie
- Melanie Griffith (born 1957)American actress
- Melanie Martinez (born 1995)American singer-songwriter
- Melanie C (born 1974)British pop singer
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
Keep exploring
About as popular as Melanie
Find names you'll both love, starting with Melanie
The one-minute style quiz.