Melanie is a feminine given name that originated from the Greek name Melaina, meaning "black" or "dark". It is a popular name in English-speaking countries and has been in use since the 18th century. The name has various spellings in different languages, including Mélanie in French, Melanija in Slovenian, and Melani in Italian. Famous Melanies include Melanie Brown, also known as Mel B, a member of the Spice Girls, and Melanie Griffith, an American actress.
Melanie rank report (US ranking for newborns 2021)
Nicknames for Melanie
| Mel | Mell | Shortened version of the name Melanie. |
| Lanie | Lay-nee | A common nickname for Melanie that is derived from the first syllable of the name. |
| Mela | Meh-lah | A shortened version of the name Melanie that is commonly used as a nickname. |
| Melly | Mel-ee | A cute and playful nickname for Melanie. |
| Mels | Mells | A shortened version of the name Melanie that is often used by close friends and family. |
| M | Em | An abbreviation of the name Melanie. |
Famous people named Melanie
| Melanie Brown | Singer, member of Spice Girls | Melanie Brown, also known as Mel B, is an English singer, songwriter, rapper, actress, and television personality. She rose to fame as a member of the Spice Girls, one of the best-selling girl groups of all time. |
| Melanie Chisholm | Singer, member of Spice Girls | Melanie Chisholm, also known as Mel C, is an English singer, songwriter, actress, and television personality. She rose to fame as a member of the Spice Girls, one of the best-selling girl groups of all time. |
| Melanie Laurent | Actress, filmmaker | Melanie Laurent is a French actress, singer, and filmmaker. She has appeared in numerous films, including 'Inglourious Basterds', 'Beginners', and 'Now You See Me'. She has also directed several films, including 'The Adopted' and 'Galveston'. |
| Melanie Safka | Singer-songwriter | Melanie Safka, known professionally as Melanie, is an American singer-songwriter who rose to fame in the late 1960s and early 1970s. She is best known for her hit songs 'Brand New Key' and 'Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)'. |
Fictional character called Melanie from pop culture
| Melanie Smooter | Known for being the main character in the movie Sweet Home Alabama | Melanie Smooter is a fashion designer in New York City who returns to her hometown in Alabama to obtain a divorce from her estranged husband, Jake Perry, only to find out that he has not yet signed the papers and wants to reconcile with her. |
| Melanie Hamilton | Known for being a character in the novel Gone with the Wind | Melanie Hamilton is a kind-hearted and gentle woman who is married to Ashley Wilkes and is a close friend of Scarlett O'Hara in the novel Gone with the Wind. |
| Melanie Moretti | Known for being a character in the TV show Hot in Cleveland | Melanie Moretti is a writer who moves to Cleveland with her best friends after her husband leaves her. She is portrayed by Valerie Bertinelli in the TV show Hot in Cleveland. |
| Melanie Marcus | Known for being a character in the TV show Big Mouth | Melanie Marcus is a preteen girl who is best friends with Andrew Glouberman in the TV show Big Mouth. She is portrayed by Jessi Klein. |
| Melanie Cavill | Known for being a character in the TV show Snowpiercer | Melanie Cavill is the head of hospitality and the voice of the train in the TV show Snowpiercer. She is portrayed by Jennifer Connelly. |
| Melanie Cross | Known for being a character in the video game Half-Life | Melanie Cross is a scientist and resistance fighter in the video game Half-Life. She is one of the main characters in the game and helps Gordon Freeman throughout his journey. |
| Melanie Walker | Known for being a character in the TV show Batman Beyond | Melanie Walker is a high school student who becomes the vigilante known as Ten in the TV show Batman Beyond. She is voiced by Olivia d'Abo. |
| Melanie Barnett | Known for being a character in the TV show The Game | Melanie Barnett is a medical student who is engaged to a professional football player in the TV show The Game. She is portrayed by Tia Mowry. |
Frequently Asked Questions about Melanie
| What is the origin of the name Melanie? | The name Melanie has Greek origins. |
| What does the name Melanie mean? | The name Melanie means "dark" or "black". |
| Is Melanie a popular name? | Yes, Melanie has been a popular name in the United States since the 1960s. |
| What famous people are named Melanie? | Famous people named Melanie include singer Melanie Brown (also known as Mel B), actress Melanie Griffith, and author Melanie Benjamin. |
| What are some variations of the name Melanie? | Variations of the name Melanie include Melany, Melaine, and Melina. |
| What is the nickname for Melanie? | The most common nickname for Melanie is Mel. |
| What is the meaning of the name Melanie in different languages? | In French, the name Melanie means "black" or "dark". In Spanish, it means "dark-skinned". In German, it means "brave" or "warrior". |