Mela Girl

Popularity: #922 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: MEL-uh //ˈmɛlə//

Origin: Italian; Greek

Meaning: Italian: 'apple'; Greek: 'honey'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Mela has roots in several linguistic traditions, primarily deriving from the Greek word "melas," meaning "black" or "dark." This term has influenced various languages, including Latin, where it appears as "melas" in the context of color. The name has also been associated with the Latin word "mela," meaning "apple," which has contributed to its usage in different cultures.

The transition of Mela into English likely occurred through the influence of Latin during the medieval period, as Latin was the scholarly language of Europe and often served as a bridge for names and terms from ancient languages into vernacular use. Historically, the name Mela does not have prominent figures in biblical texts or significant historical milestones directly tied to it.

However, it can be linked to various saints and religious figures in the Christian tradition, particularly in regions where Latin was prevalent. The name may have been adopted in ecclesiastical contexts, reflecting the common practice of using names with positive connotations, such as those associated with nature or virtue.

The spread of Christianity throughout Europe during the early Middle Ages likely facilitated the integration of names like Mela into local cultures. Culturally, Mela carries associations with beauty and nature, particularly through its connection to the apple, a symbol of knowledge and temptation in various mythologies and religious texts.

This duality of meaning—both dark and sweet—has allowed the name to resonate in different contexts. In some cultures, diminutive forms or variations of Mela, such as Melina, have emerged, further enriching its cultural significance.

Overall, Mela embodies a blend of linguistic heritage and cultural symbolism that has contributed to its endurance across different eras.

Famous people named Mela

In this section, you will find notable people named Mela. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Mela who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Mela who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Mela Lee is a voice actress best known for her roles in the video games League of Legends, Final Fantasy XIV, and the animated series The Loud House.

Mela Koteluk is a singer-songwriter best known for her albums Spadochron and Migracje.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Mela, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Mela. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Mela was first seen in the United States in 1905.

Mela has ranked as high as #5233 nationally, which occurred in 2019, and has been most popular in New Mexico, California, New York, Florida, and Michigan.

In the past 5 years the name Mela has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Mela is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Mela was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Mela.

Year Total Births Girl
2025 26 26
2024 24 24
2023 27 27
2022 32 32
2021 33 33
2020 48 48
2019 55 55
2018 40 40
2017 31 31
2016 32 32
2015 37 37
2014 38 38
2013 31 31
2012 29 29
2011 27 27
2010 18 18
2009 15 15
2008 20 20
2007 23 23
2006 24 24
2005 13 13
2004 12 12
2003 7 7
2002 8 8
1999 6 6
1998 8 8
1991 5 5
1988 5 5
1983 6 6
1980 6 6
1977 6 6
1976 5 5
1975 5 5
1973 5 5
1970 7 7
1969 5 5
1966 5 5
1964 5 5
1962 7 7
1959 11 11
1958 6 6
1956 5 5
1955 9 9
1954 10 10
1953 11 11
1951 7 7
1950 5 5
1947 8 8
1946 6 6
1944 6 6
1941 5 5
1940 6 6
1934 14 14
1933 8 8
1932 13 13
1931 5 5
1930 8 8
1929 9 9
1928 13 13
1927 15 15
1926 8 8
1925 6 6
1924 7 7
1923 5 5
1922 10 10
1921 9 9
1920 7 7
1919 10 10
1918 9 9
1916 8 8
1915 9 9
1914 6 6
1905 5 5

Top States for Mela (2022)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 5
100%