Declining since 2007.
Popularity of Melvyn since 1912
Babies named Melvyn per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 136 |
| 1920s | 398 |
| 1930s | 1,329 |
| 1940s | 1,503 |
| 1950s | 275 |
| 1960s | 208 |
| 1970s | 118 |
| 1980s | 95 |
| 1990s | 75 |
| 2000s | 130 |
| 2010s | 59 |
| 2020s | 34 |
Meaning & origin
Melvyn, a variant spelling of Melvin, saw its peak popularity in the United States in 1938, when the name ranked highest in usage. Since 2007, its trajectory has been falling, and it has not appeared in the top 1000 names for several decades. The name was first recorded in 1912, and its modern usage is exceptionally rare, with fewer than 5 newborns per year. Melvyn's history reflects a mid-20th-century naming trend, often chosen for boys alongside similar-sounding names like Kelvin and Marvin. Despite its decline, the name carries a vintage charm, evoking the 1930s when it was most popular. It is a name rooted in either Irish or Old English origins, though its exact meaning remains debated.
Melvyn is a variant spelling of Melvin, a name of debated origin. It may derive from an Irish surname, Anglicized from Ó Maoil Mhin, meaning 'descendant of the smooth-browed one'. Alternatively, it could come from the Old English name Mæthelwine, composed of elements meaning 'council' and 'friend'. The spelling with a 'y' became popular in the 20th century, paralleling names like Kelvin and Kevin.
“Melvyn” around the world
Where Melvyn lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
40
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mel, Melvy
Sibling names for Melvyn
Names that share Melvyn's style, for a brother or sister.
