A 1880s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Mellie since 1880
Babies named Mellie per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1895, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Mellie's real moment was 1888.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 233 |
| 1890s | 268 |
| 1900s | 288 |
| 1910s | 373 |
| 1920s | 350 |
| 1930s | 256 |
| 1940s | 140 |
| 1950s | 71 |
| 1960s | 47 |
| 1970s | 15 |
| 1980s | 5 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 5 |
| 2010s | 72 |
| 2020s | 80 |
Meaning & origin
Mellie is a vintage nickname name that enjoyed its greatest popularity in the late 19th century, reaching its peak rank of 7,133 in 1888. After decades of obscurity, it has been rising again since 2012, reflecting a broader trend for antique short forms like Nellie and Minnie. In 2025, it was given to 1 in 107,151 baby girls, a small but notable revival. While rarely used as a full given name, Mellie carries the sweet, old-fashioned charm of its longer counterparts Melissa and Melanie, both of which have classical Greek roots. Its resurgence suggests a renewed appreciation for dainty, vowel-ending diminutives from the Victorian era.
Mellie originated as a pet form of names like Melissa (from Greek for 'honey bee') and Melanie (from Greek 'black, dark'), as well as possibly Millie (from Germanic 'mild strength'). It was used in the United States in the late 19th century, peaking in popularity in 1888, and has seen a modest revival since 2012.
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Mellie
Names that share Mellie's style, for a brother or sister.
