NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Melis

A Turkish feminine name meaning "smooth, calm, mild-mannered".

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.

Melis is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Melis popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4192, with 5 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1999, with 17 births.

This profile covers 289 England and Wales registrations across 29 recorded years from 1996 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 29% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 287 living people in the UK are called Melis. 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

  • Melis ranked #4192 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 5 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 1999, when 17 girls were registered as Melis.
  • About 287 living people in the UK are estimated to have Melis as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4192

2024

Births in 2024

5

Latest year

Peak year

1999

17 births

Estimated living

287

2026

Meaning

What does Melis mean?

The name Melis has its origins in the Turkish language and culture, dating back several centuries. It is a diminutive form of the Turkish name Melisa, which is derived from the Greek word "melissa," meaning "honey bee." This connection to nature and sweetness has imbued the name with a sense of gentleness and grace throughout its history.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Melis can be found in the 16th-century Ottoman Empire, where it was used by members of the royal court and aristocracy. During this period, the name gained popularity among the elite circles of Turkish society, reflecting its association with refinement and elegance.

In the realm of literature, the name Melis has been immortalized in several works of Turkish poetry and prose. One notable example is the 17th-century poet Melis Efendi, whose passionate verses and eloquent lines have earned him a place in the annals of Turkish literature.

As the centuries passed, the name Melis continued to hold a special significance in the Turkish cultural landscape. In the 19th century, Melis Kadigil, a renowned calligrapher and artist, left an indelible mark on the world of Islamic calligraphy, her intricate works adorning the walls of mosques and palaces throughout the Ottoman Empire.

Moving into the 20th century, the name Melis gained international recognition through the accomplishments of remarkable individuals. Melis Abravanel, a Turkish-Jewish author and activist born in 1892, played a pivotal role in advocating for women's rights and social reform in the early years of the Turkish Republic.

Another notable figure bearing the name Melis was Melis Behlil, a celebrated Turkish singer and composer born in 1914. Her powerful voice and captivating performances helped to preserve and promote the rich musical traditions of her homeland, earning her critical acclaim both at home and abroad.

In the realm of sports, Melis Durul, a Turkish tennis player born in 1988, has made her mark on the international stage, representing her country in numerous prestigious tournaments and achieving notable rankings in her career.

While these are just a few examples, the name Melis has been carried by many remarkable individuals throughout history, each leaving their unique imprint on the world through their talents, achievements, and contributions to their respective fields.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Melis over time

The chart below shows babies named Melis registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 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 Melis, the clearest high point is 1999. The latest England and Wales figure is 5 births in 2024, compared with 17 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Melis
0491317199620102024

Decades

Melis by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Melis 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 #3240 38 5
2010s #2468 107 10
2000s #2028 105 10
1990s #1985 39 4

Related

Names similar to Melis

FAQ

Melis: questions and answers

How popular is the name Melis in the UK right now?

In 2024, Melis was ranked #4192 for girls in England and Wales, with 5 births registered.

When was Melis most popular?

The peak year on record was 1999, with 17 babies registered as Melis in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Melis?

A Turkish feminine name meaning "smooth, calm, mild-mannered".

How many people are called Melis in the UK?

A total of 289 babies have been registered as Melis across the 29 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.