Melanie is a distinctive girls' name in England & Wales, ranking #863 in 2025 with 41 recorded births. The name reached its all-time peak in 1996 with 166 births ranking #239. Since 1996, the popularity has decreased by 75.3%. In 2025, approximately 1 in every 6,178 girls born was named Melanie. FALLING Recent data shows the name is currently falling.
Melanie is a polished classic meaning 'dark'. It feels soft and feminine while carrying a crisp, ancient root.
The name has been used in Christian Europe for many centuries and later became very familiar in modern English-speaking countries. Its elegant sound has helped it remain approachable across generations.