Declining since 2005, #2,514 for girls today.
Popularity of Melia since 1890
Babies named Melia per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 13 |
| 1900s | 6 |
| 1910s | 51 |
| 1920s | 39 |
| 1930s | 22 |
| 1940s | 6 |
| 1950s | 189 |
| 1960s | 217 |
| 1970s | 341 |
| 1980s | 448 |
| 1990s | 610 |
| 2000s | 1,595 |
| 2010s | 1,231 |
| 2020s | 553 |
Meaning & origin
Melia is a modern feminine name first recorded in the U.S. in 1890, but its popularity surged in the 1990s and peaked in 2006. As of 2025, it ranks 2,514th, with approximately 1 in 22,961 baby girls receiving the name. The name has been on a declining trajectory since 2005, though it remains in use across the country, most notably in New York, California, and Florida. Melia likely developed as a shortened form of Amelia or as a floral-inspired variant of Camellia, giving it a soft, melodic quality. Its flexibility as a nickname has also contributed to its appeal. While not among the top tier of modern names, Melia retains a distinctive charm for parents seeking something familiar yet uncommon.
Melia is a modern English name that likely emerged as a short form of Amelia or as a feminine form of Emilio, or as a variant of Camellia (the flower). Its use traces to the late 19th century, but it gained broader popularity in the 1990s and 2000s. The name has no ancient roots.
Where Melia 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.
“Melia” around the world
Where Melia lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
155
babies in 2024
Quebec
10
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Meli, Mia
Variants: Melya, Melyah
Sibling names for Melia
Names that share Melia's style, for a brother or sister.
