UK boy's name
Melih
A Turkish masculine name of uncertain origin, possibly meaning "friendly" or "auspicious".
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.
Melih is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Melih popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5119, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2017, with 5 births.
This profile covers 28 England and Wales registrations across 8 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 60% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 28 living people in the UK are called Melih. 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
- • Melih ranked #5119 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2017, when 5 boys were registered as Melih.
- • About 28 living people in the UK are estimated to have Melih as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5119
2024
Births in 2024
3
Latest year
Peak year
2017
5 births
Estimated living
28
2026
Meaning
What does Melih mean?
The name Melih is of Turkish origin and has its roots in the Persian language. It is derived from the Persian word "meli," which means "honey" or "sweet." The name is believed to have originated sometime in the 7th or 8th century during the Islamic Golden Age, when Persian culture and language significantly influenced the Ottoman Empire.
One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Melih can be found in the 11th-century Persian epic poem "Shahnameh" by Ferdowsi. In this literary masterpiece, Melih appears as the name of a minor character, suggesting that the name was already in use at that time.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Melih. One of the most prominent figures was Melih Gazi (1055-1121), a Turkish military leader and ruler of the Danishmendids, a Turkmen dynasty that ruled parts of modern-day Turkey and Armenia in the 11th and 12th centuries. Melih Gazi played a crucial role in the expansion of the Danishmendid territory and was known for his military prowess.
Another historical figure with the name Melih was Melih Cevdet Anday (1915-2002), a renowned Turkish poet, essayist, and translator. Anday was a prominent figure in the Turkish literary scene and was widely acclaimed for his modernist poetry, which explored themes of existentialism, social justice, and human experiences.
In the field of music, Melih Kibar (1954-2005) was a notable Turkish singer and songwriter. He was known for his unique fusion of traditional Turkish music with contemporary genres, and his songs often reflected his deep love for his homeland and its cultural heritage.
Melih Petek (1967-), a Turkish actor and director, is another individual who has carried the name with distinction. He has appeared in numerous Turkish films and TV series, garnering critical acclaim for his versatile performances and contributions to the Turkish entertainment industry.
While the name Melih has ancient roots and a rich historical significance, it continues to be a popular choice for baby names in modern-day Turkey, where it is often associated with sweetness, elegance, and cultural heritage.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Melih over time
The chart below shows babies named Melih 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 Melih, the clearest high point is 2017. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2024, compared with 5 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Melih by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Melih 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 | #5119 | 3 | 1 |
| 2010s | #3741 | 13 | 3 |
| 2000s | #3419 | 12 | 4 |
Related
Names similar to Melih
- Matthew 80,931
- Mohammed 74,321
- Muhammad 72,235
- Max 59,807
- Michael 47,075
- Mason 38,935
- Mohammad 25,910
- Morgan 15,994
- Muhammed 11,527
- Mark 11,336
- Marcus 11,257
- Maxwell 10,006
FAQ
Melih: questions and answers
How popular is the name Melih in the UK right now?
In 2024, Melih was ranked #5119 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Melih most popular?
The peak year on record was 2017, with 5 babies registered as Melih in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Melih?
A Turkish masculine name of uncertain origin, possibly meaning "friendly" or "auspicious".
How many people are called Melih in the UK?
A total of 28 babies have been registered as Melih across the 8 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.