Declining since 2018, #9,457 for girls today.
Popularity of Melah since 2005
Babies named Melah per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 2000s | 36 |
| 2010s | 244 |
| 2020s | 127 |
Meaning & origin
Melah is a modern and uncommon name that first appeared in U.S. naming records in 2005, reflecting a trend toward creative, phonetic spellings. It reached its peak popularity in 2019, but has since been on a downward trajectory, declining in use each year after 2018. With an estimated 1 in 160,727 newborns receiving the name in 2025, it remains a highly distinctive choice. The name's origins are unclear, and it may be a blend of familiar sounds or a borrowing from Hebrew, but its modern invention makes it a flexible, open-ended option for parents seeking something rare.
Melah is a rare modern name first recorded in the United States in 2005. It may be a creative respelling or blend of popular sounds, such as the "Mel-" from Melissa or Melanie and the "-ah" ending common in names like Layla. Alternatively, it could be taken from the Hebrew word מֶלַח (melach) meaning "salt," though this connection is speculative. The name has seen modest use, peaking in 2019, but remains uncommon.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mel, Lah
Sibling names for Melah
Names that share Melah's style, for a brother or sister.
