Melanie
From French Mélanie, from Latin Melania, the name of two Roman fifth century saints, from Ancient Greek μέλας (mélas, “black, dark”).
Every Melanie since 1886 — 263,254 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Melanie
Melanie is moderately common for girls in the United States, ranked #142 in 2025 with 2,074 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1886, 263,254 American babies have been named Melanie. Its peak came in 1972, when 6,320 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1970s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Melanie stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Melanie year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2,074 | #142 | — | — |
| 2024 | 2,253 | #122 | — | — |
| 2023 | 2,121 | #130 | — | — |
| 2022 | 2,173 | #130 | — | — |
| 2021 | 2,188 | #129 | — | — |
| 2020 | 2,528 | #105 | — | — |
| 2019 | 2,592 | #110 | — | — |
| 2018 | 2,850 | #105 | — | — |
| 2017 | 3,240 | #90 | 5 | #13,593 |
| 2016 | 3,490 | #82 | — | — |
| 2015 | 3,497 | #81 | — | — |
| 2014 | 3,701 | #81 | 7 | #10,358 |
| 2013 | 3,474 | #84 | — | — |
| 2012 | 3,467 | #77 | — | — |
| 2011 | 3,289 | #89 | 5 | #13,647 |
| 2010 | 3,486 | #82 | — | — |
| 2009 | 3,487 | #94 | — | — |
| 2008 | 3,714 | #85 | 8 | #9,564 |
| 2007 | 4,000 | #81 | 15 | #5,825 |
| 2006 | 4,034 | #85 | 9 | #8,510 |
| 2005 | 3,495 | #92 | 11 | #6,948 |
| 2004 | 3,583 | #89 | 16 | #5,174 |
| 2003 | 3,550 | #93 | 8 | #8,355 |
| 2002 | 3,484 | #94 | 7 | #9,071 |
| 2001 | 2,913 | #117 | 7 | #8,919 |
| 2000 | 2,968 | #114 | 13 | #5,488 |
| 1995 | 2,646 | #117 | 10 | #5,771 |
| 1990 | 3,813 | #86 | 19 | #3,261 |
| 1985 | 3,132 | #88 | 18 | #2,789 |
| 1980 | 4,841 | #60 | 21 | #2,417 |
| 1975 | 5,369 | #52 | 14 | #2,856 |
| 1970 | 4,330 | #91 | 13 | #2,699 |
| 1965 | 3,116 | #122 | 9 | #2,915 |
| 1960 | 3,662 | #125 | 7 | #3,543 |
| 1955 | 2,658 | #141 | — | — |
| 1950 | 1,026 | #237 | — | — |
| 1945 | 335 | #386 | — | — |
| 1940 | 200 | #480 | — | — |
| 1935 | 9 | #3,087 | — | — |
| 1930 | 12 | #2,645 | — | — |
| 1925 | 15 | #2,456 | — | — |
| 1920 | 26 | #1,651 | — | — |
| 1915 | 20 | #1,718 | — | — |
| 1910 | 8 | #1,883 | — | — |
| 1905 | 7 | #1,647 | — | — |
| 1900 | 13 | #1,088 | — | — |
| 1895 | 7 | #1,385 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Melanie
- Melanie Klein Psychologist · 1882–1960
- Melanie Griffith Actor · b. 1957
- Melanie Thornton Singer · 1967–2001
- Melanie Singer · b. 1947
- Melanie C Singer · b. 1974
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Melanie mean?
From French Mélanie, from Latin Melania, the name of two Roman fifth century saints, from Ancient Greek μέλας (mélas, “black, dark”).
How popular is the name Melanie in 2025?
Melanie ranked #142 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 2,074 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Melanie?
263,254 babies have been named Melanie in the United States since 1886, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Melanie most popular?
Melanie peaked in 1972, when 6,320 newborns received the name.
Is Melanie a boy or girl name?
Melanie is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Melanie rising or falling?
Melanie is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Melanie?
Well-known people named Melanie include Melanie Klein (psychologist), Melanie Griffith (actor), Melanie Thornton (singer).