UK girl's name
Melaine
A feminine name of French origin meaning "dark, black".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 1997. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Melaine is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Melaine popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 1997 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3824, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1997, with 3 births.
This profile covers 3 England and Wales registrations across 1 recorded years from 1997 to 1997. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
Melaine is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.
We estimate that about 3 living people in the UK are called Melaine. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 1998 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Melaine ranked #3824 for girls in England and Wales in 1997, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1997, when 3 girls were registered as Melaine.
- • About 3 living people in the UK are estimated to have Melaine as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3824
1997
Births in 1997
3
Latest year
Peak year
1997
3 births
Estimated living
3
2026
Meaning
What does Melaine mean?
The name Melaine is believed to have its origins in the Greek language, deriving from the combination of the words "meli" meaning "honey" and "aine" meaning "praise." This suggests that the name may have been used to describe someone who was considered sweet and praiseworthy.
The earliest known recorded use of the name Melaine can be traced back to ancient Greece, where it was a relatively uncommon name given to women. The name appears in a few ancient Greek texts, although its exact meaning and significance remain somewhat obscure.
One of the earliest known historical figures to bear the name Melaine was a Greek poetess who lived in the 3rd century BC. Unfortunately, very little is known about her life or works, as only fragments of her poetry have survived through the ages.
In the Middle Ages, the name Melaine was occasionally used in various regions of Europe, particularly in France and England. One notable figure from this time was Melaine of Rouen, a 7th-century abbess and founder of the Abbey of Rouen in Normandy, France.
During the Renaissance period, the name Melaine experienced a resurgence in popularity, particularly among the upper classes. One notable bearer of the name was Melaine de l'Espine, a 16th-century French poet and member of the famous literary circle known as the Pléiade.
In more recent history, the name Melaine has been used sporadically, with a few notable individuals bearing it. Melaine Daguerre (1892-1968) was a French actress and dancer who performed in several notable productions in the early 20th century. Melaine Walker (1923-1998) was an American writer and journalist who covered important events such as the Vietnam War and the civil rights movement.
While not an exhaustive list, these examples provide a glimpse into the rich history and diverse cultural influences that have shaped the name Melaine over the centuries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Decades
Melaine by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Melaine was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | #3824 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Melaine
- Megan 70,884
- Mia 67,204
- Molly 47,734
- Millie 44,390
- Maisie 32,671
- Matilda 29,965
- Maya 26,445
- Madison 18,441
- Maria 17,304
- Mollie 15,914
- Martha 15,116
- Maddison 14,918
FAQ
Melaine: questions and answers
How popular is the name Melaine in the UK right now?
In 1997, Melaine was ranked #3824 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Melaine most popular?
The peak year on record was 1997, with 3 babies registered as Melaine in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Melaine?
A feminine name of French origin meaning "dark, black".
How many people are called Melaine in the UK?
A total of 3 babies have been registered as Melaine across the 1 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.