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The short answer
Melanie is a feminine name from the French Mélanie, the French form of the Latin name Melania, derived from Greek μέλαινα (melaina), meaning "black, dark". Behind the Name notes it was the name of a 5th-century Roman saint and that interest in it was revived by the character Melanie Wilkes in the novel and film Gone with the Wind. It is pronounced MEL-ə-nee. In the United States it ranked #142 for girls in 2025.
Meaning and etymology
Behind the Name traces Melanie to the French Mélanie, the French form of the Latin Melania, derived from Greek μέλαινα (melaina), meaning "black, dark". It was the name of a Roman saint who gave away her wealth to charity in the 5th century (her grandmother shared the name). The name was common in France in the Middle Ages and spread to England, later becoming rare there before interest was revived by the character Melanie Wilkes from the novel and film Gone with the Wind.
Editorial confidence: established
Linguistic roots
| Language | Form | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Greek | melaina | black, dark |
Popularity
Melanie ranked #142 for girls in the United States in 2025 (Social Security Administration).
| Region | Year | Rank | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 2025 | #142 | ssa-2025 |
Nicknames, variants, and related names
Nicknames: Mel, Mindy
Variants: Melany, Mellony, Mélanie
Related names: Melinda, Melina
What the name feels like
Melanie is a soft, well-established classic, familiar across English, German and Dutch, with an easy shortening to Mel that keeps it feeling current.
Style tags: classic, international, three syllables
Editorial interpretation: This style impression is editorial judgment, not linguistic fact.
If you like this name
Names that share Melanie's Greek root or its literary association.
Similar by meaning
- Melania
- Melina
- Melinda
Similar by sound
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Melanie mean?
Melanie means "black, dark", from Greek μέλαινα (melaina), via the French Mélanie and Latin Melania.
Is Melanie a popular name?
Yes. Melanie ranked #142 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.
Is Melanie a biblical or literary name?
It is not biblical; Behind the Name credits its modern revival to the character Melanie Wilkes in the novel and film Gone with the Wind, following earlier use for a 5th-century Roman saint.
Sources
- Behind the Name: Meaning, origin and history of the name Melanie — supports etymology, pronunciation, history, variants.
- U.S. Social Security Administration: Popular Baby Names — national data, year of birth 2025 — supports popularity.
