Melanie
MEL-ah-nee · 3 syllables
♀ Female ◎ Greek ◈ 3 syllables
"Dark, black, dark-haired"

From Greek

Melanie means dark or black-haired — from the Greek melaina. It's a name that has been associated with beauty since the 5th century, when two saints named Melania were venerated for their generosity. Gone with the Wind's Melanie Hamilton, the gentle counterpoint to Scarlett O'Hara's fire, gave the name its most beloved fictional identity. It peaked in the 1970s and retains a warm, approachable quality.

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Melanie at a glance
MeaningDark, black, dark-haired
OriginGreek
GenderFemale
Syllables3
NumerologyLife Path 5
US Rank (today)#108
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Why parents love Melanie
  • Melanie Hamilton is one of fiction's kindest, most genuinely good characters.
  • Three syllables with a soft, melodic flow: MEL-ah-nee.
  • The meaning dark/black gives it an unexpected sophistication.
  • Mel is a warm, easy nickname.
  • It's classic enough to be timeless but not so popular it feels overused.
The vibe of Melanie
darkgentlemelodicliterarywarmclassickindsophisticated
Origin & history of Melanie
Greek μέλαινα (melaina, dark/black) Latin Melania French Mélanie English Melanie
1
Greek roots
Melanie comes from the Greek melaina, meaning dark or black. Two Roman saints named Melania (grandmother and granddaughter, 5th century) were celebrated for giving away their vast fortunes to help the poor. Gone with the Wind (1936) gave the name its most enduring fictional association: Melanie Hamilton Wilkes is the gentle, kind-hearted foil to Scarlett O'Hara, and many readers consider her the novel's true heroine. Melanie peaked in the US top 50 during the 1970s-80s. Melanie Griffith, Mel C (Sporty Spice), and Mélanie Laurent have kept it culturally visible.
2
First recorded
Earliest known use: 5th century — two saints named Melania (grandmother and granddaughter) were venerated for their charitable works.
3
Today
Melanie remains a beloved choice, ranking #108 in the US. 261,158 babies have been named Melanie since 1886.
◈ Sources: Behind the Name, Oxford Dictionary of First Names, SSA data
How popular is Melanie?
1972 peak year
Melanie entered U.S. records in 1886, near the turn of the 20th century. Its popularity climbed over the following decades. In 1972, 6,295 babies were named Melanie (ranked #42 nationally). Today it sits around #108, with roughly 2,692 babies named Melanie each year. Melanie has been declining in recent years. In total, around 261,158 babies have been registered with this name since 1880.
Year-by-year registrations 1880–2024 · U.S. Social Security data
6,295 Babies named in peak year
(ranked #42)
2,692 Avg. per year
(last decade)
26,920 Total registrations
last 10 years
261,158 All-time total
(since 1880)
Popularity in the US today (rank #108) Very popular
↓ Declining in recent years
📊 Check all names registered in the United States →
Numerology of Melanie
5
Life path number
The Adventurer
Freedom, adventure and curiosity.

Melanie's Life Path 5 is the adventurer's number — a surprising vibration for such a gentle name. People named Melanie tend to be warmer than they are quiet — their gentleness is strength, not passivity. Like Melanie Hamilton, they surprise you.

Gentleness as strength
Warmer than expected
Surprisingly adventurous
Kind but not passive
Depth beneath the surface
M4
E5
L3
A1
N5
I9
E5
Sum: 32 → Life path 5
Personality of Melanie
🌍
Free spirit
Adventure calls and they always answer.
Electric energy
Things happen around them — exciting, unexpected.
🦋
Adaptable
New situations are opportunities, never threats.
💬
Natural charmer
There's something magnetic about them.
Names that sound like Melanie

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Names that combine with Melanie

Sibling pairings that share the timeless, classic energy of Melanie.

Middle names for Melanie

The right middle name turns Melanie into a complete story. Explore options for first-and-middle pairings, then last-name flow.

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Numerology life path calculator

Enter any full name and date of birth to discover the life path number — a core numerological indicator of personality, purpose and destiny.

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7
Life path number

How we calculated this
Melanie is a beautiful choice.
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