MallowbyNames

Melburn

MEL-bern · Of uncertain origin; possibly a variant of Melbourne, a place name meaning 'mill stream' in Old English.

Peak popularity
1920
Usually for
Boys
Trend
Holding steady

Holding steady.

Popularity of Melburn since 1912

Babies named Melburn per year in U.S. Social Security records.

91827192019602000Most births 1920Boys
Data table (by decade)
DecadeBoys
1910s105
1920s155
1930s108
1940s63
1950s33
1960s12
1970s13
1980s0
1990s0
2000s0
2010s0
2020s0

Meaning & origin

Melburn is a rare American given name that first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1912, with its peak usage occurring in 1920. The trajectory of the name has been stable, but its overall frequency remained very low, and it has never ranked in the top 1000 names. As a variant of Melbourne, it reflects a trend of using surnames and place names as first names in early 20th-century America. The name was recorded in decades such as the 1910s and 1920s, with a profile similar to other -burn names of the era. While no top states are associated with Melburn, its usage likely followed broader patterns of naming in rural or midwestern communities. Today, Melburn is an uncommon choice, but it carries a vintage, straightforward charm.

Melburn is likely an Americanized variant of the place name Melbourne, which derives from Old English 'mylen' (mill) and 'burna' (stream). It emerged in the early 20th century as a given name in the United States, though it never gained widespread popularity. The name shares phonetic similarities with other -burn names like Blackburn and Osburn.

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Mel, Burnie

Variants: Melbourne

Sibling names for Melburn

Names that share Melburn's style, for a brother or sister.

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

M is for Melburn, our favorite little boy.

M is for Melburn…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Melburn's letter becomes Melburn's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Melburn's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does the name Melburn mean?
Melburn is likely a variant of the place name Melbourne, meaning 'mill stream' in Old English. Its exact meaning as a given name is uncertain, but it is typically considered a masculine name.
How popular is the name Melburn?
Melburn has never ranked in the U.S. top 1000. It peaked in usage around 1920, with limited records before 1912 and after the 1920s. It remains a rare name today.
Is Melburn a boy's name?
Yes, Melburn is almost exclusively used as a boy's name. Historical data from the U.S. Social Security Administration shows it was only recorded for males.