UK girl's name
Melia
A feminine name of Greek origin meaning "ash tree" or "honey".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Melia is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Melia popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #2115, with 13 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2018, with 24 births.
This profile covers 238 England and Wales registrations across 22 recorded years from 2001 to 2024. 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.
The latest count is about 54% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 237 living people in the UK are called Melia. 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 2025 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Melia ranked #2115 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 13 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2018, when 24 girls were registered as Melia.
- • About 237 living people in the UK are estimated to have Melia as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#2115
2024
Births in 2024
13
Latest year
Peak year
2018
24 births
Estimated living
237
2026
Meaning
What does Melia mean?
The name Melia is derived from the Greek word "meli," which means honey. It originated in ancient Greece, where it was used as a feminine name. The name gained popularity during the Classical period, which spanned from the 5th to the 4th century BC.
In Greek mythology, Melia was the name of one of the Oceanid nymphs, the three thousand daughters of the Titans Oceanus and Tethys. She was associated with the ash tree and was considered a protector of those who worked with ash wood or lived near ash trees.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Melia was a Greek philosopher who lived in the 5th century BC. Unfortunately, not much is known about her life or teachings, as her works have been lost to history.
In the Middle Ages, the name Melia was occasionally used in various parts of Europe, particularly in Italy and Greece. One notable figure from this period was Melia of Bari, an Italian noblewoman who lived in the 12th century. She was renowned for her philanthropic work and her support of the arts and culture.
During the Renaissance, the name Melia experienced a resurgence in popularity. One of the most famous individuals with this name from this period was Melia Bettini, an Italian poet and writer who lived in the 16th century. Her collection of sonnets and love poems was widely acclaimed and influential.
In the 18th century, Melia Sacchi was an Italian painter known for her portraits and religious works. She was one of the few female artists of her time to achieve recognition and success.
Another notable figure with the name Melia was Melia Muter, a Polish painter and sculptor who lived from 1876 to 1967. She was a prominent figure in the avant-garde art movement and her works are celebrated for their bold colors and innovative styles.
While the name Melia is not as common today as it once was, it continues to be used as a given name, primarily in Greece and other parts of Europe. Its connection to honey and the natural world, as well as its rich historical roots, make it a unique and evocative choice.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Melia over time
The chart below shows babies named Melia registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2001 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Melia, the clearest high point is 2018. The latest England and Wales figure is 13 births in 2024, compared with 24 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Melia by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Melia 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #1786 | 81 | 5 |
| 2010s | #2377 | 119 | 10 |
| 2000s | #3273 | 38 | 7 |
Related
Names similar to Melia
- 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
Melia: questions and answers
How popular is the name Melia in the UK right now?
In 2024, Melia was ranked #2115 for girls in England and Wales, with 13 births registered.
When was Melia most popular?
The peak year on record was 2018, with 24 babies registered as Melia in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Melia?
A feminine name of Greek origin meaning "ash tree" or "honey".
How many people are called Melia in the UK?
A total of 238 babies have been registered as Melia across the 22 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.