Holding steady, #11,932 for girls today.
Popularity of Melba since 1893
Babies named Melba per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1924, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Melba's real moment was 1932.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 216 |
| 1900s | 763 |
| 1910s | 4,538 |
| 1920s | 9,099 |
| 1930s | 7,951 |
| 1940s | 5,691 |
| 1950s | 3,792 |
| 1960s | 1,538 |
| 1970s | 736 |
| 1980s | 311 |
| 1990s | 129 |
| 2000s | 50 |
| 2010s | 28 |
| 2020s | 31 |
Meaning & origin
Melba is a 20th-century invention, first appearing in U.S. records in 1893. It peaked at rank 386 in 1932, reflecting the era's fondness for names ending in 'a' and honoring celebrities. The name has declined steeply since the 1950s; in 2025 it ranked 11,932 with only 1 in 229,610 births. Its trajectory is stable at very low usage, with no signs of revival. Melba has no strong regional associations in the U.S., having never clustered in any top states. The name remains a curiosity, tied to the singular legacy of Nellie Melba and the culinary terms she inspired.
Melba was coined in the late 19th century as a stage name for Helen Porter Mitchell, who took it from Melbourne, her hometown. It became a given name in English-speaking countries after her fame, though it was never common. It is also associated with the food terms Peach Melba and Melba toast, named after the singer.
Where Melba is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Sibling names for Melba
Names that share Melba's style, for a brother or sister.
