Melanie

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ORIGIN AND HISTORY

Melanie is derived from the Greek Melania from the root melas meaning "black" or "dark." Two 5th century Roman Saints, a grandmother and granddaughter, popularized the name. They were renknowned for their pious works and service to the poor. Saint Melanie the Elder was an early pilgrim to Jerusalem.

Melanie was introduced to England during the Middle Ages.

Much of the popularity rise of the name Melanie has been attributed to Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell, published in 1936, which resulted in the film adaptation in 1939 starring Clark Gable and Vivian Leigh. Melanie Hamilton Wilkes was a fictional character that appeared in the book and the film. The movie Gone With the Wind won eight Academy Awards (Oscars), including Best Picture in 1939. That same year, Melanie was ranked the 939th most popular female name, which was the lowest it would ever rank in the United States until at least the 21st century.

POPULARITY

According to the 1990 United States Census, Melanie is the 188th most popular female first name. In the United States, the name Melanie broke into the Top 200 most popular girls names circa 1950 and has maintained a rank in the Top 200 ever since, often breaking into the Top 100. In the United States, the name Melanie has ranked in the Top 1,000 female names during seven decades since 1880. The largest surge in the popularity of the name in the United States occurred during the 1930s to 1940s.

FACTS

• Primary use of the name Melanie is in the Netherlands.
• January 6th has been declared St. Melanie's day by Catholics.
• In Estonia, September 12th is dedicated to Melanie.

NAMESAKES

• "Melanie Hamilton Wilkes" is a fictional character in Gone With the Wind.
• "Melanie Rachel Marcus" is a fictional character in "Queer as Folk" - a Showtime television series.
• "Melanie" is the name of singer Céline Dion's 1984 album.
• "Melanie" is the name of a song by Wierd Al Yankovic.
  

FAMOUS PERSONS

• Melanie Anne Safka-Schekeryk - An American singer and songwriter usually simply referred to as "Melanie."
• Melanie Griffith - Television and movie actress who was nominated for an Academy Award (Oscar) in 1988 for "Best Actress in a Leading Role" for her work in the comedy Working Girl.
• Melanie Janine Brown - Affectionately referred to as Mel B of the pop group "The Spice Girls."
• Melanie Jayne Chisholm - Affectionately referred to as Mel C of the pop group "The Spice Girls."
• Melanie Jane Johnson - British politician.
• Melanie Janene Thornton - Pop singer who gained fame as a member of "La Bouche."

NOTES

OTHER MELANIE'S

Melanie Kraus, Melanie Smith, Melanie Johnson, Melanie Williams, Melanie Jones, Melanie Brown, Melanie Davis, Melanie Miller, Melanie Wilson, Melanie Moore, Melanie Taylor, Melanie Aala, Melanie Aaron, Melanie Aaser, Melanie Abadi, Melanie Abajian, Melanie Abanto, Melanie Abboud, Melanie Abdow, Melanie Abeita, Melanie Abele, Melanie Aalbers, Melanie Aalderks, Melanie Aamodt, Melanie Aarseth, Melanie Aase, Melanie Aasen, Melanie Abad, Melanie Abarca, Melanie Abare, Melanie Abaya, Melanie Abbott, Melanie Abedi, Melanie Abejon, Melanie Abel, Melanie Abela, Melanie Abeldano, Melanie Barbagallo, Melanie Aaltonen, Melanie Ab, Melanie Abalos, Melanie Abazi, Melanie Abbas, Melanie Abbe, Melanie Abbeor, Melanie Abdalla, Melanie Abdilla, Melanie Abdoun, Melanie Abe, Melanie Abell, More results

Author: Rich Kachold