Melaine

Meaning & origin

Melaine is a rare French variant of Melanie, which has been in use in the United States since at least 1925, though it has never reached high popularity. Its peak year came in 1981, after which usage began declining steadily, falling out of the top 1000 entirely by the late 1980s. The name has remained extremely uncommon, with fewer than five births per year in recent decades and no recorded births in many years. Melaine has never been concentrated in any particular state, reflecting its broad but thin distribution. Parents drawn to the softer French styling may choose this spelling as an alternative to the more common Melanie, though the variant remains a niche choice.

Melaine is a French variant of Melanie, which derives from the Greek melas (black, dark). The name was borne by two early Christian saints, including Saint Melaine, a 5th-century bishop of Rennes. In English-speaking countries, the form Melanie has dominated, while Melaine appears as a minor variant, possibly influenced by the French pronunciation.