Melvin Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Melvin is a name of Old English origin, meaning 'friend of the council'. It has evolved from historical forms such as Maelvin and Melvinus. The name reflects traits of friendliness and companionship. It does not have a biblical background. Melvin gained popularity in the 19th century and is currently seen as a traditional name with a classic appeal.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Melvin"
Pronunciation
/ˈmɛlvɪn/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Melvin is derived from the Old English elements 'mael', meaning 'meeting' or 'council', and 'wine', meaning 'friend'. Thus, it can be interpreted as 'friend of the council'.
Meaning
friend of the council
Language Evolution
Maelvin, Melvinus, Melvin
Historical Usage
Melvin gained popularity in the 19th century, particularly in English-speaking countries, and has been used consistently since then.
Variants & Derivatives
Mel, Melvyn, Malvin
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Melvin is perceived as a classic name that carries a sense of tradition, though it is less commonly used among younger generations.
Famous People
Melvin Belli - an American attorney known as the 'King of Torts'., Melvin Gordon - an American football player., Melvin Udall - a fictional character played by Jack Nicholson in the film 'As Good as It Gets'.
📊 Melvin Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Melvin Name Visualizations
✨ Melvin Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 4,311 peak births in 1928
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in District of Columbia
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 12 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Same Pronunciation Names for "Melvin" - Complete Guide (5 Names)
Discover the ultimate list of homophone names and same pronunciation names that sound identical to "Melvin". These names share the same pronunciation but may have different spellings, offering alternative options for parents seeking similar-sounding names. Whether you're looking for American or British pronunciation variations, this comprehensive guide includes 5 carefully curated names that maintain the same phonetic sound.
Why explore same pronunciation names? Many parents search for homophone names to find alternative spellings that might be more unique or culturally significant. This ultimate list covers both American and British pronunciation patterns, ensuring you find the perfect variation of "Melvin" that fits your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Melvin"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Melvin"
"Melvin" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 52nd of 7545 | 56,582 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 59th of 6773 | 69,350 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 104th of 7552 | 65,509 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 178th of 10718 | 23,916 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 285th of 16616 | 13,588 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 452nd of 24088 | 9,251 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 748th of 23106 | 3,964 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 1391st of 9107 | 563 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 1328th of 9204 | 609 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 2018th of 12526 | 558 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 3515th of 19264 | 295 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 9514th of 27321 | 104 |
Regional Popularity of "Melvin" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
3.11% 44th/1416 |
5.44% 75th/1379 |
2.41% 57th/2366 |
3.94% 45th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
3.17% 49th/1546 |
4.63% 72nd/1556 |
2.08% 49th/2353 |
3.68% 57th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
5.21% 116th/2227 |
5.31% 129th/2430 |
2.45% 70th/2853 |
4.83% 134th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
6.44% 189th/2937 |
5.66% 197th/3483 |
3.75% 132nd/3518 |
6.31% 255th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
7.46% 275th/3685 |
5.54% 248th/4475 |
4.66% 242nd/5194 |
6.49% 410th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
10.96% 502nd/4582 |
6.41% 331st/5164 |
5.95% 435th/7313 |
7.49% 559th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
17.85% 711th/3984 |
11.66% 523rd/4487 |
10.85% 740th/6822 |
17.32% 1087th/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Melvin" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
100.00% 1416th/1416 |
- |
56.68% 1341st/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- |
86.05% 1339th/1556 |
53.97% 1270th/2353 |
- |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- |
100.00% 2430th/2430 |
58.71% 1675th/2853 |
- |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- |
100.00% 3483rd/3483 |
- | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Melvin"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Melvin" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Melvin" in the United States
The name Melvin is most popular in District of Columbia, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the G.I. Generation generation in the MidWest region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Melvin has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, too falling for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Melvin' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 52nd out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 59th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 104th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 178th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 285th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 452nd out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 748th out of 23106 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1391st out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1328th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 2018th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 3515th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 9514th out of 27321 names. Discover how the name 'Melvin' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.