Declining since 2008.
Popularity of Melaney since 1947
Babies named Melaney per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2007, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Melaney's real moment was 1972.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1940s | 16 |
| 1950s | 84 |
| 1960s | 141 |
| 1970s | 204 |
| 1980s | 167 |
| 1990s | 181 |
| 2000s | 262 |
| 2010s | 165 |
| 2020s | 39 |
Meaning & origin
Melaney is a variant of Melanie, a name of Greek origin meaning 'dark.' This spelling first appeared in U.S. records in 1947 and saw its peak popularity in 1972. Since 2008, usage has been on a steady decline, and it has not returned to the top 1,000 names. The name follows a pattern of feminine names ending in '-ey' that were fashionable in the mid-20th century, alongside similar forms like Melany. Though it lacks a strong presence in any particular state, its trajectory reflects broader trends in variant spellings of classic names.
Melaney is a variant of Melanie, which derives from the Greek melas (μέλας) meaning 'black, dark.' The name came into use in the English-speaking world in the 20th century, partly influenced by the character Melanie Hamilton in Margaret Mitchell's 1936 novel 'Gone with the Wind.' The variant spelling Melaney emerged in the mid-20th century, with its peak popularity in 1972.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Laney, Lane, Mel, Annie
Sibling names for Melaney
Names that share Melaney's style, for a brother or sister.
