Names › Girls' names › M › Melanie
Melanie
Meaning: black, dark · Origin: Greek · Gender: usually a girl's name
Origin & history
From Greek melas, 'black, dark'. Saint Melania the Elder was a 4th-century Roman noblewoman.
Famous people named Melanie
- Melanie Griffith (actor)
Nicknames
Mel, Lanie
Variants & related names
Mélanie, Melania, Melany
Melanie name art
A free preview of a printable “Melanie” poster with its meaning — great for a nursery, a birthday or a gift.
Instant download, no subscription. Not printed or shipped — you get a high-resolution PNG to print at home or at a print shop.
FAQ
What does the name Melanie mean?
Melanie means “black, dark”. It comes from Greek.
Is Melanie a popular name?
Melanie is a classic girls' name that has been used for generations in the English-speaking world. For its current rank, see the US Social Security Administration or UK Office for National Statistics baby-name lists.
What are nicknames for Melanie?
Mel, Lanie.
What are other forms of Melanie?
Mélanie, Melania, Melany.
Similar names
Lydia · Melody · Alexandra · Andrea · Ariana · Daphne
More: names starting with M · all girls' names
Sources: standard name etymology references (e.g. Behind the Name, Oxford Dictionary of First Names); popularity from US SSA and UK ONS baby-name data. Meanings of old names are often debated — where scholars disagree we say so.