| Meaning | dark, black |
| Origin | Greek |
| Gender | Girl |
| Popularity | Popular |
| Length | 7 |
| Syllables | 3 |
| Syllabification | Mel-a-nie |
Melanie offers that perfect combination of familiarity and enduring charm that never seems to fade. This established name has maintained steady popularity across generations without ever feeling overused or tired. Its soft, melodious quality creates an immediately pleasant impression, while its classical roots provide substance and depth.
The name works seamlessly across languages and cultures, making it ideal for families with international connections or those who simply appreciate universal appeal. Melanie strikes a beautiful balance—recognizable enough to avoid constant spelling corrections, yet distinctive enough to feel personal and special.
Girls named Melanie often find their name grows with them gracefully, suitable for every age and stage of life. From playground to boardroom, Melanie maintains its elegance and approachability. The name suggests warmth, intelligence, and reliability—qualities most parents hope to nurture in their daughters.
| Mel |
| Mellie |
| Lanie |
| Melly |
| Melanie Griffith | American actress |
| Melanie C | British singer - Melanie Chisholm |
| Melanie Klein | Austrian-British psychoanalyst |
| Melanie Brown | British singer - Mel B, Spice Girls |
| Melanie Lynskey | New Zealand actress |
| Melanie Martinez | American singer and songwriter |
| Melanie Fiona | Canadian singer-songwriter |
| Melanie Mayron | American actress and director |
| Melanie Safka | American singer-songwriter |
| Melanie Chartoff | American actress and comedian |
| Melanie Paxson | American actress |
| Melanie Hamrick | American ballet dancer |
| Melanie Kannokada | American actress and entrepreneur |
| Melanie Chandra | American actress and model |
| Melanie Sykes | British television presenter and model |
| Melanie Marquez | Filipina beauty queen and actress |
| Melanie Vallejo | Australian actress and singer |
| Melanie Laurent | French actress and director |
| Melanie Smith | British equestrian |
| Melanie Stryder | Character in "The Host" by Stephenie Meyer |
| Melanie Walker | Character in the animated series "Batman Beyond" |
| Melanie Hamilton | Character in the play "A Streetcar Named Desire" by Tennessee Williams |
| Melanie Cavill | Character in the TV series "Snowpiercer" |
| Melanie Smooter | Character in the movie "Sweet Home Alabama" |
| Melanie Moretti | Character in the TV series "Hot in Cleveland" |
| Melanie Marcus | Character in the TV series "Degrassi - The Next Generation" |
| Melanie Bird | Character in the TV series "Legion" |
| Melanie Cross | Character in the TV series "Doctor Who" |
| Melanie Puckett | Character in the TV series "iCarly" |
| Melanie Mallard | Character in the movie "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" |
| Melanie Bush | Character in the TV series "Doctor Who" |
| Melanie Barnett | Character in the TV series "Girlfriends" |
| Melanie Davis | Character in the TV series "Skins" |
| Melanie Smooter Carmichael | Character in the movie "Sweet Home Alabama" |
| Melanie Stokes | Character in the TV series "Falling Skies" |
| Melanie Porter | Character in the movie "The Cheetah Girls" |