Holding steady.
Popularity of Melda since 1887
Babies named Melda per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1925, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Melda's real moment was 1900.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 5 |
| 1890s | 34 |
| 1900s | 102 |
| 1910s | 249 |
| 1920s | 349 |
| 1930s | 238 |
| 1940s | 201 |
| 1950s | 188 |
| 1960s | 94 |
| 1970s | 27 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
The name Melda is a rare feminine name that saw its greatest popularity during the early 1900s, with its peak year recorded in 1900. It has since declined sharply and is now very uncommon, with fewer than 5 births per year in recent years. The name's trajectory has been stable at a low level since the mid-20th century. Its origins are uncertain, possibly as a variant of Melinda or a feminization of Melvin. The name is primarily recorded in the United States, with no dominant state association.
Melda is likely a 19th-century coinage, possibly a short form or variant of Melinda, which itself is a blend of Melanie and Linda. Alternatively, it may be a feminine form of Melvin, derived from an Irish surname. It saw modest use in the United States in the late 1800s and early 1900s, peaking in 1900.
“Melda” around the world
Where Melda lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mel, Melly
Sibling names for Melda
Names that share Melda's style, for a brother or sister.
